Playoff Momentum Is Priority

For a team that lost five of its first seven games, the Avengers are lucky to still be in the thick of the American Conference playoff picture. They trail Las Vegas, Utah and Arizona by only one game in the Western Division.

As a result, each of the Avengers’ remaining nine games -- the last four of which are at home -- takes on extra significance, beginning with defending Arena Football League champion Colorado (6-1) Sunday at Staples Center at 3:30 p.m.

The players know it too.

“Every game is important now because it’s the next game that we play,� said rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who passed for 348 yards and six touchdowns in the Avengers’ 75-61 victory at San Jose last Sunday, ending a five-game losing streak.

“We won a game last week but when you look at the standings, we’re still 2-5. We have a lot of ground to make up and a lot of improvement to do.�

Cumbie has started the last three games and put up some impressive numbers. He has completed 81 of 129 passes (62.8%) for 948 yards and 17 touchdowns with only two intercepted.

But after playing well against San Jose’s man-to-man coverage, Cumbie on Sunday will face the challenge of Colorado’s combination zone defenses.

“The more you play, the better you get at it and once you know what coverages they are in, you don’t have to worry about looking so much,� Cumbie said. “It’s just a case where I’m starting to see and know the game better. I’m starting to get comfortable and know what to expect more.�

Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss, whose team at this point last season was 4-3 behind experienced quarterback John Kaleo, likes Cumbie’s poise.

“Sonny has always been a guy who got the ball out quickly,� Hodgkiss said. “But over the last couple of weeks, he’s been more patient with the receivers and getting the ball to the right guy.�

With road games against Arizona and Las Vegas on deck, the Avengers understand the importance of Sunday’s game.

“This is our time to go on a winning streak,� Cumbie said.