The Berlin Rebels (0-1) will be trying to rebound Saturday, May 18 when they host the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (2-0) at Mommsenstadion in Berlin, Germany in German Football League action.
The Rebels were beaten 30-17 last week by the Potsdam Royals in Potsdam, while Braunschweig is coming off back-to-back wins over the Cologne Crocodiles, 23-6 and 45-7.
Berlin quarterback Terrell Robinson threw for 248 yards and one touchdown in the loss to Potsdam with TJ Esekielu as his leading receiver with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. The running game was almost non existent as the Rebels gained a total of 22 yards on the ground with Chris Smith the top rusher with seven yards (!) in total and a touchdown. If Berlin is going to be able to replicate their performance from 2018 against the Lions when they won both games, the run game will have to get untracked.
The Lions offense has been effective if not explosive with QB Brandon Connette throwing for just 311 yards in the two wins over Cologne. The backfield duo of Chris McClendon (81 yds) and David McCants (85 yds) has rushed for a total of 166 yards between them with Connette adding another 44 and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Christian Bollmann has 103 yards receiving and three touchdowns in two games.
Berlin defeated the Lions twice in 2019, 26-21 and 23-14. They will not have an easy time today although their home crowd should make a difference.
