One of the top games of the week in Germany pits the German defending champion Braunschweig New Yorker Lions and the Dresden Monarchs in a classic battle.
Germany’s top defense in the Lions is facing the second leading offense in Dresden. These two teams split the season series last season with Dresden winning on the road 27-26 while Braunschweig returned the favor winning 47-17 a week later in Dresden. In fact, Dresden handed the Lions their only loss of 2015 in Germany.
This will be the first major test for the Lions in German league play this season. They have won all three games they have played easily averaging 50 points a game while giving up a mere 5. Quarterback Grant Enders has the highest passer rating in the league having completed 77% of his passes. As a team, the Lions are fifth in the league in rushing and yet neither David McCants nor Chris Smith are among the top 10 in rushing. That says a great deal about the versatility of Braunschweig.
Lions RB Chris Smith + Dresden RB Joseph Bergeron
The top receiver for the Lions is Jan Hilgenfeldt who moved over from Dresden. He has 12 catches for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns placing him 8th in Germany so far.
The Lions lead the league in three key categories though. They have the best turnover margin forcing three per game, the best red zone offense having scored all eight times they have been within 20 yards of the end zone, and the best red zone defense having allowed only one touchdown in three attempts in the red zone.
Although the Monarchs are 2-1-1, they have lost one game by four points to Kiel and tied the Berlin Rebels two of the best teams in the North.
Dresden quarterback Brandon Connette leads Germany in passing yardage by a wide margin with 1,354 yards passing in four games and 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions. It is no wonder receiver Sebastian Sagne leads the league in reception yardage with 475 in four games.
Monarchs running back Joseph Bergeron is averaging 6.6 yards a carry so far with 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
So the league-leading Dresden passing offense will be facing the league-leading Braunschweig passing defense. The Monarchs are averaging 338 yards passing per game while the Lions are only allowing 111. This will be an interesting matchup. Braunschweig has snagged eight interceptions so far but the Monarchs have only thrown two in 17 attempts meaning that Connette is very careful with the ball.
He will have to keep an eye out for Lions defensive back Tissi Robinson though who has three of those picks.
The comparisons could go on. Basically, this game should be a treat to watch.
