LIVESTREAM German Qtr Finals: Cologne Crocodiles @ Munich Cowboys, Sept. 10, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 09:00 am ET)

The surprise team of the GFL South, the Munich Cowboys (8-1-1), who finished second in the division, will play host to the Cologne Crocodiles (7-3), third place finishers in the GFL North as the German Football League playoffs kick off Saturday, September 10.

The Cowboys, under new head coach, Nadine Nurasyid, are having their best season since the 2000 and 2001 campaigns where they had back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. Their only loss during the regular season was to the unbeaten Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns who downed them 28-6.

Munich enters their quarterfinal matchup on a three-game winning streak which they hope to continue today. Meanwhile, the Crocodiles come into this matchup after winning the last three games of their regular season in an impressive fashion. One of those wins was over the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, avenging an earlier loss during the season.

Munich’s offense has not been prolific, averaging 30.3 points a game, but the defense is ranked second in the GFL, giving up just 17.6 points a contest.

Cowboys quarterback Wyatt Smith has been having a solid and efficient season, throwing for 1,819 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 73.2 % of his passes, which tops the league. Wide receiver Jannik Novak has been Smith’s main target with 38 receptions for 418 yards and six touchdowns with Kai Silbermann not far behind with 37 catches for 369 yards and six scores. Lucky Dozier and Brandon Watkins have shared running back duties with Dozer finishing with 390 yards rushing and five touchdowns and Watkins 322 yards and five scores.

However, it is the team’s pass defense that has stood out, ranked number one in the GFL. Munich has only allowed opposing teams 6.3 yards per pass, 166.3 yards per game, and a total of 14 passing touchdowns while picking off a total of 10 passes for the season. Linebacker Patrick Kenney leads the way with three picks, 58 tackles including four tackles for loss and a sack, as well as four pass breakups.

The Crocodiles have had one of the better offenses in the GFL this season ranking as the fourth highest scoring averaging 38.6 points a game. Canadian quarterback Christian Strong has been a key thanks to his 2,816 yards passing and 33 touchdowns with a 71.6 completion percentage, third in the GFL. He also was aided by an excellent pair of receivers. Aaron Jackson led the league with 78 receptions for 1,247 yards and 14 touchdowns while teammate Jarvis McClam had 67 receptions for 832 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Cologne’s defense is ranked fourth in the league in yards allowed surrendering 301.4 yards and 24.1 points per game. One of their key playmakers on defense has been defensive back Fardan Allen, who has broken up 10 passes and recorded a league high seven interceptions, and a league high 17 total passes defended. Linebacker Sven Appelt had 56 tackles including 10 tackles for loss and four sacks to lead a tough front seven.

This game is a toss up although Munich has the edge playing in front of a wildly cheering crowd who will be witnessing the Cowboys first home playoff game in more than a decade.

Cologne Crocodiles @ Munich Cowboys, Sept. 10, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 09:00 am ET)