PHOENIX - The six-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers will face the Northern Arizona Wranglers on Saturday for a spot in the IFL National Championship Game.

If they advance, the Rattlers will be one win away from their seventh title.

A tie-breaker for the West's crown

The Rattlers and Wranglers split their 2022 regular season contests, with Arizona falling in Prescott Valley 37-34 in a heartbreaker on June 11. Northern Arizona's success against the Rattlers didn't continue, however, as Arizona took care of the Wranglers 40-28 in Phoenix on July 2. 

Turnovers were the story of the game for the Rattlers on June 11. Arizona turned the ball over three times and allowed four sacks. Penalties also allowed the Wranglers to earn three points via a field goal, which was enough for the win. Despite the struggles, the Rattlers had a chance to tie to take the lead on the game's final possession but ran out of time.

In response, Arizona put together an impressive display on its home field three weeks later on July 2. While it was another hotly contested battle, it was the Rattlers' defense that stepped up the second time around, forcing a fumble from Wranglers quarterback Kaleb Barker in the fourth quarter. Northern Arizona was down six at the time, and a Rattlers touchdown on the ensuing drive was critical en route to Arizona's win.

Dominant Defense

Saturday's contest figures to be a defensive showdown, as the teams' history and statistical figures both favor fewer points rather than more. Northern Arizona held the Rattlers to their lowest and third-lowest point totals of 2022 in the two regular season matchups, while Arizona held the Wranglers to their lowest point total of the year on July 2.

Additionally, the two teams occupy the top spots in the league in all of the following statistical categories: total points allowed, points per game allowed, total touchdowns allowed, average yards allowed per play, fewest touchdowns allowed, fewest yards allowed per game, completion percentage allowed, passing yards per game allowed, defensive efficiency and opponent third down conversion rate.

Arizona's No. 1-ranked offense will go up against the league's No. 1-ranked defense in Northern Arizona on Saturday. However, the Rattlers could have an advantage against the Wranglers' offense, which ranks average-at-best in multiple offensive categories.

The Wranglers will likely face an impressive defensive front from the Rattlers as well on Saturday. In their two games this year, Arizona racked up six tackles-for-loss and two sacks on the Wranglers, with eight different defenders contributing to the totals. 

Who will break out on offense?

Despite defenses showing out in both contests in 2022, the Rattlers had multiple players make big plays offensively.

In June 11's loss, Arizona once held two two-possession leads, thanks in part to the combination of Rattlers quarterback and 2021 IFL MVP Drew Powell and Rattlers running back/wide receiver Jamal Miles.

Powell had 120 yards rushing and four touchdowns combined in the two previous matchups against the Wranglers, who own the league's best rush defense by two metrics. Miles made his mark as a pass catcher, hauling in seven passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns throughout both games.

On July 2, Rattlers wide receiver Braxton Haley caught two go-ahead touchdowns from Powell, which helped Arizona pull away late in its 40-28 win.

Finally, while the battle of third down will likely be a fierce one thanks to each team's first-place ranking in conversion percentage and conversion percentage allowed, Arizona could have a huge advantage with its backs against the wall on Saturday. The Rattlers own the IFL's best mark on 4th down conversions, while the Wranglers rank 10th in the IFL in defending fourth downs.

Where to watch