Rush to host Jacksonville in AFL's key game Friday

After sweeping a two-game road trip at Dallas and Cleveland, the Chicago Rush returns home Friday to host the Jacksonville Sharks at Allstate Arena in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Arena Football League.

The game, featuring a pair of teams with 6-2 records, will be broadcast nationally 7 p.m. as the AFL game of the week on the NFL Network with broadcasters Paul Burmeister, Mike Lombardi and Anthony Herron.

The Rush enters the game coming off a come-from-behind 52-49 win last week in Cleveland.

Jacksonville had its five-game winning streak snapped last week in Spokane.

Rush kick returner Chris Martin's 57-yard return with 14 seconds left in last week's game proved the difference in Chicago's win over Cleveland.

Martin's return came after the Gladiators scored with 21 seconds remaining to take a 49-45 lead. Cleveland kicker Matt Denny missed 34-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

For his efforts on special teams, as well as his four tackles on defense, Martin was named the league's Ironman of the Week.

The Rush did not lead Cleveland until the fourth quarter, when Josh Ferguson's interception in the end zone set up a Russ Michna to Samie Parker touchdown that gave Chicago a 36-35 lead. Friday's matchup with Jacksonville marks just the third time this season - and first time at home - that Chicago has faced a team with a winning record.