LIVESTREAM Austrian Bowl XXXVII: Danube Dragons vs Dacia Vienna Vikings, July 30, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)
Austrian Bowl XXXVII kicks off today, Saturday, July 30 with the Dacia Vienna Vikings making their 11th appearance in the title game since 2010 and facing a Danube Dragons team that has returned to the championship for the first time since 2010.
These two teams faced each other only once during the regular season with the Dragons coming out on top, beating Vienna 57-42 a month ago. Danube defeated the Telfs Patriots in the semifinals 31-13 while the Vikings came from behind late to down the Prague Black Panthers 50-44.
Going into the game, Danube is the favorite. They have the second-best scoring offense in the AFL (behind the Vikings), averaging 35.5 points a game during the regular season. The leader of the offense is, of course, quarterback Chad Jeffries. Jeffries threw for 2,522 yards this year along with having the second-best QBR in the league at 137.4. In the semifinal win over the Patriots, he only completed six passes for 166 yards as running back Silas Nacita, who only joined the team just before the playoffs, had a field day rushing for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Expect the Dragons to utilize Nacita both in the backfield and as a wideout today.
In addition to the versatile offense, the Dragons also have the #1 total defense in the league, only allowing 244 yards a game. However, against Telfs, while allowing only 13 points, they gave up 316 yards.
The Vikings enter the game with the highest scoring offense and the best ground attack in the AFL led by running back Davontae Jordan who has rushed for a whopping 1,789 yards and 23 touchdowns. In the semifinal win over Prague, he was held to a “modest” 105 yards and two touchdowns while it was quarterback Nico Hrouda who exceeded his regular season average. He completed 25 of 39 passes for 396 yards and five scores after averaging 198 yards a game going into the playoffs. He will be facing a Dragons secondary that gave up a league-low of 162.1 yards a game.
In that sole meeting between the teams, Hrouda threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns while Jeffries completed a phenomenal 13 of 14 passes for 323 yards and four scores.
If Jordan and the Vikings run game can find room, it will open up for Hrouda and the passing game. On the other side, Jeffries is a veteran quarterback with plenty of playoff experience. Expect him to find any weaknesses in the Vienna secondary and exploit them.
Although Danube is the favorite, Vienna has the most potent offense in the AFL. This could go down to the wire.
Watch the game live here. Danube Dragons vs Dacia Vienna Vikings, July 30, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)
