As the back-to-back bye weeks draw to a close and a full helping of games is on the table, here’s the AFI power ranking ahead of week 9 in the European League of Football (ELF).
1. Vienna Vikings
There is little to be said about the Vikings. They are yet to lose a game and are deserving of the top spot.
Even at the halfway point, it is hard to imagine Vienna not playing in the championship game at the end on September 25, which will this year take place in their home country, Austria.
2. Hamburg Sea Devils
The Sea Devils have quickly asserted themselves as the number two team. Their lights out defense and dominating running game has them steamrolling opponents.
They are unlikely to face another challenge until they meet the Dragons in the final weekend of the regular season.
3. Barcelona Dragons
The Dragons began the season perfectly with quarterback Zach Edwards quickly making a case for league MVP. But all this seems to have come tumbling down following their meltdown loss to the Vikings two weeks ago.
It’s still uncertain whether their loss to the Rams last weekend was another team-meltdown or the Rams improving significantly following some key signings. The weeks ahead will surely answer this question.
4. Frankfurt Galaxy
Fourth place is where things begin to get murky. Frankfurt pulls in at number four purely due to their consistency.
Jakeb Sullivan is a poised, trustworthy quarterback. The addition of Reece Horn has only added to this.
Outside of a few injuries, the core players from last year’s championship side have remained but currently lack the same explosiveness they had a year ago.
5. Tirol Raiders
The Raiders were on the up before their weekend loss to the Vikings, with many having them predicting they would hand Vienna their first loss of the season. This did not happen. The Raiders instead fell apart, along with Sean Shelton’s game-pants, and looked as they did in their week 1 loss.
The Raiders’ inconsistencies will do them no favors as the season progresses. If the season ended today, they would be in the playoffs, but if they wish to get past the first round, they need to sure themselves up.
6. Rhein Fire
On Monday, following their landslide loss to the Sea Devils, the Fire axed five players, four coaches and an athletic trainer. This comes just days after starting quarterback Matt Adam was replaced by Jadrian Clark.
The Fire still have a stacked roster and arguably the best coach in the league, but the direction they are now going is anyone’s guess.
7. Berlin Thunder
The Thunder have progressed by leaps and bounds since their opening week dismantling at the hands of the Sea Devils. They are now a complete team on both offense and defense, winning their last three games.
The only reason they are not ranked higher is due to the fact that they haven’t beaten anyone good yet.
8. Wroclaw Panthers
The Panthers are another one of the inconsistencies within the league. This is partly down to the changing of quarterbacks after just three weeks.
The now starting quarterback, Slade Jarman, has been average. In four games he’s thrown the ball a lot, picking up just six touchdowns and six interceptions, giving them their well-deserved 3-4 record.
9. Istanbul Rams
One of the fan favorites following their first ever win over the Barcelona Dragons last weekend, the Rams have leaped up the power rankings.
The signing of their first American quarterback, Isaiah Green, gave them a level of dynamism that the Dragons found hard to handle. On top of this, longer fields due to better offense gave the Rams defense a chance to show what they’re made of.
The obvious question still remains though, was this victory just an outlier or are the Rams finally here to play?
10. Leipzig Kings
On paper the Kings should be in the top half of teams in the ELF. But when you take a look at the standings, they are one of the worst.
Keeping their quarterback healthy has been an issue for the Kings. Jordan Barlow threw five touchdowns and seven interceptions in just five games. Newly acquired Conor Miller threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first game last week. The team will surely trend up from here on out.
11. Cologne Centurions
The Centurions have plummeted down the rankings since the initial weeks of the ELF. Going from one of the most devastating offensive attacks to just three touchdowns in four weeks is not a good look for the young German quarterback, Jan Weinreich.
12. Stuttgart Surge
Over the last few weeks, the Surge has shown a little life following some strong offensive outings. But after Dante Vandeven’s 76 yard and three interception debacle last week, the team has resoundingly earned its place as the league’s worst team.