LIVESTREAM: Game of Week in Germany – Braunschweig New Yorker Lions v. Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 5 pm CEST (11 am EDT)

There are storylines aplenty as the 5-0 Braunschweig New Yorker Lions get set to take on the undefeated Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (6-0) in a battle for German, and maybe European, supremacy Saturday, June 24.

The two teams faced each other three times in 2016 with New Yorker coming out on top in two, 24-21 and 38-21 while they battled to a 10-10 tie in the third.

Kiel leads the German Football League’s North division with their 6-0 record with the Lions right behind in second at 5-0. The Hurricanes boast the best offense in the North averaging 46.8 points per game while Braunschweig has the leading defense giving up only 6.6 points a contest.

The Hurricanes have the second best rushing offense in Germany averaging just over 200 yards a game while Braunschweig defense  allows only 67.4 yards a game, good for third. Both are among the top 5 in passing yardage and pass defense.

In other words, these two teams are as evenly matched as possible.

The two quarterbacks are extremely mobile. Lions quarterback Casey Therriault is averaging 286 yards passing and has thrown 19 touchdown passes in five games while Jared Stegman has thrown for 1,647 yards and 27 touchdowns in six games. They have both only thrown two interceptions.

Lions receiver Niklas Romer tops the league  with his 718 yards and 10 touchdowns while Kiel’s Xavier Mitchell is right behind in second with 43 receptions for 687 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The one clear difference may be in rushing with Chris McClendon of the Hurricanes leading the league averaging 172 yards a game while Braunschweig’s David McCants is fourth with an average of 97 yards a game.

Stegman has to keep an eye out for Lions linebacker Jacob Schridde who is one of the anchors of the tough Braunschweig defense. He leads the league in tackles for loss with 13 and is averaging almost a sack a game. Kiel’s Anthony Bass has been just as dangerous for opposition quarterbacks. He is sacking quarterbacks at the same pace and now has five total.

Kiel is second in Germany in turnover margin having gained 11 while giving up four giving them a +1.17 margin. Braunschweig is much further down the list with a margin of +0.20. Could the key to the game be here?

Will this be a game of inches or big plays? Both teams are explosive with difference makers on both sides of the ball.

It will be a treat to watch.

Watch the game live. Saturday June 24, 5 pm CEST (11 am EDT)