LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – A crazy week in the league led to a major shake-up in the Arena Football League Writers Association Top 8 Poll, with the New Orleans VooDoo emerging No. 1.

New Orleans (3-1) received seven first-place votes and 96 points, one of six teams to receive at least one first-place vote. The VooDoo moved up from No. 5 following its 61-47 victory over Philadelphia, which dropped the Soul (2-2) from No. 4 to out of the poll. New Orleans hosts the No. 6 Tampa Bay Storm (2-1), which dropped three spots despite being idle.

The Georgia Force (3-1) advanced four spots to No. 2 after its 38-13 victory over Las Vegas (2-2), which knocked the then-No. 7 Gladiators out of the poll. Georgia visits the Austin Wranglers (1-3).

Entering the poll at No. 3, the Los Angeles Avengers (3-1) are coming off a 71-69 victory over the defending champion San Jose SaberCats. Los Angeles is at the No. 8 Colorado Crush (2-2), which made its way into the rankings following a 74-69 victory over the Arizona Rattlers.

The Dallas Desperados (3-1) moved from No. 8 to No. 4 thanks to a 42-28 victory over the Orlando Predators (3-1), who were No. 1. Dallas is at the Philadelphia, and No. 5 Orlando plays at the Chicago Rush (2-2). Chicago was No. 2 last week, but dropped out after a 52-39 loss to the Columbus Destroyers.

Another team entering the poll, the No. 7 New York Dragons defeated the Nashville Kats 62-49. New York hosts Arizona (1-3).

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.