LIVE STREAM: Germany – Cologne Crocodiles v. Dresden Monarchs – Saturday, Sept. 2 @ 3p CEST (9a EDT)

The Cologne Crocodiles head into the hostile confines of Heinz-Steyer Stadion in Dresden Saturday to face the Dresden Monarchs in a do-or-die game for the Crocodiles.

Cologne sits fifth in the German Football League North division with a 6-6 record and two games remaining. Ahead of them in the fourth and final playoff spot left in the GFL is the Berlin Rebels at 7-6 and one game left. A tie in the standings with Berlin would leave Cologne out of the playoffs due to the points differential between the two teams in the two games between them in 2017. Berlin won the first game 14-6 while Cologne took the second 34-29. So only three points separated the two, in Berlin’s favor.

The Crocodiles need to win both their games to qualify for post season play. A loss today knocks them out. They play the Hildesheim Invaders in the final game of the year next weekend. Meanwhile, Berlin faces the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes.

This game has no bearing for the Monarchs in the standings. They have finished third in the GFL North already and are scheduled to face the Frankfurt Universe in the German quarterfinals on September 17. Frankfurt finished second in the GFL South.

The last time these two teams met, Dresden prevailed 49-21. In that game, Dresden running back Joe Bergeron rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Garrett Safron added another 155 yards rushing and three touchdowns. In other words, Cologne needs to stop the Monarchs run game and excel with their own to have a chance to win.

Dresden has the top offense in Germany scoring an average of 42.3 points per game. However, Cologne has the second best rush offense in Germany led by running back Kevin Parks who is second in the league with 1,391 yards rushing in 12 games.

Dresden quarterback Garrett Safron has thrown for 3,233 yards and 42 touchdowns in 13 games with his favorite target being Sebastian Sagne who has caught 49 passes for 920 yards and 12 touchdown passes. His counterpart with the Crocodiles, Ben Mentges has not been as prolific with 2,100 yards passing and 18 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 50.3%.

In the first game between these two, Dresden found the chink in the Crocodiles armor, their rush defense, and brutalized them for 357 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Crocodiles front seven will need to step up for Cologne to have a chance.

Watch live. Cologne Crocodiles @Dresden Monarchs Saturday, Sept. 2, 3p CEST (9a EDT)