SaberCats Vs. Rattlers, AFL Playoffs Final Score: San Jose Falls In Arizona, 51-48

The 2012 journey of the San Jose SaberCats has come to an unfortunate end. On Saturday night, the SaberCats dropped their first game in the AFL playoffs to the West Division champion Arizona Rattlers by a final score of 51-48 as their desperation fourth quarter rally came up short. San Jose's fourth ArenaBowl title will not be coming in 2012, but the Rattlers will be trying to make it back to that championship game, where they came up short last season.

The SaberCats were playing from their heels right away, as the Rattlers scored a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead. San Jose managed to battle back and close the gap to seven points, trailing 28-21 at the half. The two teams swapped touchdowns in the third quarter and the SaberCats still trailed by seven heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation.

The fourth quarter was a wild one, but although the SaberCats outscored the Rattlers 27-23 in that quarter, it just wasn't enough to pull off the win. San Jose will now head home and start thinking about next year.

Quarterback Mark Greib went 26-for-57 for 263 yards and five touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, one of which was returned 42 yards for a pick-six in the fourth quarter. That interception would hold up as the difference in the game.

San Jose SaberCats Back Where They Belong: The Playoffs

The San Jose SaberCats have the third seed in the National Conference in the AFL Playoffs, and will take on the Arizona Rattlers in their first game on Saturday.