LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Even a loss wasn't enough to knock the Dallas Desperados out of the top spot in the Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll.

The Desperados (7-2) benefited by the defeats of other top teams to keep the No. 1 ranking in the vote by members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA). They received 12 first-place votes and 188 points after falling 55-51 to the Philadelphia Soul.

Dallas next hosts the No. 8 Columbus Destroyers (5-4). Columbus remained in the same spot after routing the Colorado Crush 65-21.

The Nashville Kats (6-3) jumped three places into No. 2, receiving the other four first-place votes and 170 points. Nashville, a 51-48 winner over the San Jose SaberCats, visits Colorado (6-3), which dropped one spot to No. 4.

At No. 3, the Austin Wranglers (6-3) fell a slot following a 47-37 loss to the Orlando Predators. Austin travels to Philadelphia (5-4), which moved up a notch to No. 10.

The Georgia Force (5-4) edged up a space to No. 5 thanks to a 61-51 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm. Georgia is at the Kansas City Brigade (1-8).

Orlando (5-4), which advanced three spots to No. 6, hosts the No. 12 Chicago Rush. Chicago (4-5) moved into the poll after beating the Grand Rapids Rampage 51-44.

Holding steady at No. 7 were the Arizona Rattlers (5-4), who defeated the Los Angeles Avengers 58-45. Arizona travels to San Jose (3-6).

Tampa Bay (5-4), which dropped five places to No. 9, is home against the Utah Blaze (3-6).

The New York Dragons (5-4) actually slipped a spot to No. 11 after defeating Kansas City 54-48. New York is home against Grand Rapids (3-6).

Schutt Sports, the sports gear company with a reputation for innovation, is sponsoring this season's Top 12 Poll. Its website is schuttsports.com.

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.