Traveling to face the Dallas Desperados, Dallas had finished the season 13–3 and were heavy favorites, but the Predators held the Desperados to 28 points, pitching a fourth-quarter shutout and won 45–28. It was the Predators seventh trip to the ArenaBowl. Orlando was a two-time champion, winning ArenaBowl XII and ArenaBowl XIV Game summary First quarter The Chicago Rush got off to a 10–0 lead after the first quarter. The Rush received the opening kickoff and quarterback Matt D'Orazio scored on a one-yard run to cap off the first drive. The Orlando Predators fumbled on their first drive, Chicago recovered the loose ball and turned it into a field goal. Second quarter The Predators finally got on board in the second quarter. Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton connected with Javarus Dudley over the air to cut Chicago's lead to 10–7. The Orlando made up for its first possession fumble, recovering a Rush fumble on the ensuing kickoff. The Predators turned the turnover into a touchdown to take their first lead, 14–10. The teams traded touchdowns throughout the second quarter, in a fast-paced period that saw seven touchdowns alone. Late in the quarter, Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio caught an eight-yard pass from D'Orazio, and Chicago retook a 31–28 lead. Orlando had one final chance to try a long field goal attempt. The kick was no good, and the Predators were called for a penalty that gave Chicago one un-timed down on offense. The Rush elected to try a 51-yard field goal from kicker Dan Frantz. Frantz hit the kick, giving Chicago a 34–28 lead at the break. It was the fourth straight time Frantz had connected on a long field goal on the last play of the first half, doing so in all three of Chicago's previous playoff games. Third quarter The game turned in the third quarter. Orlando was set to return the second half kickoff, but the ball took a funny bounce off the net, and the Rush recovered. It set Chicago's offense up for another D'Orazio rushing touchdown, and Chicago led 41–28. On the Predator's next drive, Hamilton was picked off by Rush defensive back Dennison Robinson. Robinson returned the interception 44 yards for a touchdown, giving Chicago a 48–28 lead. The Predators got on the board to end the quarter, a Hamilton pass to Dudley to make it 48–34 after Orlando missed the extra point. Fourth quarter