The Cologne Crocodiles will play host to the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions Sunday, August 27 in their second last game of the regulars season at Sportpark Höhenberg in Cologne.
The Crocodiles need to win this game for a chance at making the playoffs after the Berlin Rebels defeated the Hildesheim Invaders. The Rebels win gives them a 7-6 record so now Cologne needs to win both of their remaining games and hope that Berlin loses their final game against the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes. A tie in the final standings favors the Rebels based on points differential.
So Cologne will enter the game knowing they have nothing to lose and hoping that the Lions aren’t as concerned about winning. The last time these two met Braunschweig prevailed 35-7.
This will no doubt be a different Cologne team. Nevertheless, quarterback Ben Mentges needs to have a better passing game if the Crocodiles have any chance of winning. He could only must 67 yards passing in that first game.He has thrown for 2,048 yards so far this season. The Crocodiles offense relies on the legs of running back Kevin Parks, the second leading rusher in Germany this season. He is averaging 119.6 yards a game this year so far and he has scored 17 touchdowns. Braunschweig held him to 97 yards in that first game, still respectable numbers. If he has a breakout game, the tide could turn in Cologne’ favor.
The unbeaten Lions are scoring 42.5 points a game while allowing only 10.4. They have weapons galore starting with the most efficient passer in the league in Casey Therriault who has thrown for 3,086 yards and 38 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions.Running back David McCants is rushing for an average of 111.2 yards per game and is on pace to break the 1,500 yard mark. Lions wide receiver Niklas Romer leads Germany in receptions yards per game with 104.4.
However, with everything on the line for Cologne and a big home crowd behind them, anything can happen.
Watch the game live here. Braunschweig New Yorker Lions @Cologne Crocodiles Sun. Aug. 27 3p CEST (9a EDT)
