The (10-2) Braunschweig New Yorker Lions will travel to Illerstadion in Kempten to take on the (9-3) Allgäu Comets Saturday, September 23 as the German Football League playoffs kick off.
The Comets wound up in second place in the GFL South while Braunschweig were third place finishers in the North division.
This will be the second time these teams will meet this season. In their last matchup, Braunschweig were dominantas they cruised to an easy 42-14 victory over the Comets in front of the Lions home crowd.
One thing the Comets have on their side this time around is their home field advantage. They lost just once this season at home. And although Allgäu started to slow down after their red-hot start in which they won the first five games of the season, they did pick up a win in the finale week of the regular season against a fellow GFL South playoff competitor, defeating Ingolstadt 35-27.
Watch live PPV. Braunschweig New Yorker Lions @ Allgäu Comets, Sept. 23, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)
The remedy for the Comets success has been repeated time and time again all year. Allgäu has one of the most electrifying passing offenses in the GFL and with QB Javarian Smith, it will be the key to avenge their earlier loss to the Lions and advance to the semifinal round.
While the Comets look to get revenge, the traveling New Yorker Lions will be looking to defeat Allgäu just like they did less than a month ago. Braunschweig is coming into the postseason as one of the hottest teams, winning four straight and only allowing 20 points over their last three games.
While the offense is led under center by QB Karé Lyles, it is running back D’wayne Obi who truly makes them tick. Obi has been nothing short of dominant all season. Through his 11 games, he continues to lead the league in rushing yards with 1,224.
While their offense has been great all season, it is still their defense that puts them ahead of most teams in the playoffs. Not only has the Braunschweig defense given up the fewest number of points (14.6) and yards per game (240.9). But their wildest defensive stat is only giving up 50.5 rushing yards per game.
Saturday, we will see two different styles of play from each team. The Comets enter the quarterfinal contest with a dynamic passing game, while the Lions boast a ferocious rushing attack. In the first win or go home game of the season, expect both teams to give it their all, but the strength of the New Yorker defense may have a say in what the final box score will look like.