LIVESTREAM Germany: Braunschweig New Yorker Lions @ Munich Cowboys, July 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)

| American Football | 07/22/2023

As one of only two games on the German Football League schedule this week, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (5-1) travel south to Munich to take on the Munich Cowboys (2-4) in an interdivisional matchup.

The Cowboys have struggled this year having won just two games, both against the lowly and winless Marburg Mercenaries. Most recently, Munich slipped past the Mercenaries 24-21 just before the break. They had lost four in a row prior to the win.

The Lions are coming off their first loss of the season after dropping a 40-33 decision to the Potsdam Royals in their final game before the break. They had won five in a row prior to that game.

The Cowboys quarterback situation has been their biggest issue with three quarterbacks having started in the six games. Veteran Justin Sottilare started the last two games and thrown for 369 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions. His two predecessors, Manuel Engelmann and Luca Raue had thrown for a combined 479 yards and two touchdowns in the previous four games. For any hope of success today against their tough Northern opponent, the Cowboys need to protect Sottilare and give him time to find his receivers, in particular Austin Upshaw (314 yds, 1 TD) and Lorenzo Thompson (63 yds, 1 TD) as well as tight end Manuel Hutter (80 yds). The Munich ground game has carried them with workhorse Felix Wenz leading the way with 309 yards rushing and three touchdowns so far. Wenz is the fifth leading rusher in the league in terms of average yards per game with 77.3.

Watch live PPV. Braunschweig New Yorker Lions @ Munich Cowboys, July 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)

Halfway through the season, Braunschweig has fashioned an impressive record despite the loss to Potsdam. To start, the Lions boast the best run-defense in the league, holding opponents to just 49.2 yards per game on the ground, while allowing 18 points per game. They also sit tied first in interceptions (10) while OJ Thompson is 2nd in tackles for loss with 10 and Alan Steinohrt is 4th with 9.

Offensively, the Lions have been har to stop, thanks in large part to British running back D’wayne Obi; Obi leads the league in yards and touchdowns, with 108 carries for 709 yards and 7 touchdowns (as well as one receiving score) in his six appearances. This gives him a terrifying average of just over 128.2 yards per game.

Quarterback Karé Lyles has been putting up good numbers through the air, with 195.8 yards per game and 18 TDs, and in his last outing, the loss to Potsdam, he threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns while completing 76% of his passes. He has been picked off only four times in six games and sacked three. In other words, his offensive line is giving him the time and he is also elusive. He will be tough for a Munich team that has allowed a league-worst 297.5 passing yards per game.

While the game is in Munich, the Cowboys will be facing an uphill battle against a Braunschweig team bent on making up for their first loss of the season two weeks ago.

Watch live PPV. Braunschweig New Yorker Lions @ Munich Cowboys, July 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am EDT)

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