The Cologne Crocodiles (5-4) travel to Braunschweig to take on the New Yorker Lions (5-4). These two teams met in late July as the Lions defeated the Crocodiles in Cologne 43-28. Today both teams will battle in their regular-season finale. This afternoon’s matchup is vital for playoff positioning as the winner will take third place and the loser fourth.
See how this weekend affects the GFL playoffs
The New Yorker Lions are coming off of their biggest win of the season defeating the Potsdam Royals 35-14. It seems as if head coach Troy Tomlin has his team playing well at the right time as the playoffs are right around the corner. Quarterback Jake Kennedy had been able to find Justus Holtz and Christian Bollmann along with former CFL receiver Jordan Bouah often in the last two weeks. Yet, the engine of this Lions offense remains on the ground. Running backs Exavier Edwards and CJ Okpalobi jr have quickly emerged as one of the league’s best running tandems putting up 312 yards and six touchdowns in the team’s last two games. Expect the Lions to run the ball early and often against an up and down Crocodiles defense.
Cologne Crocodiles @ New Yorker Lions Braunschweig, September 4, 18:00 CET (6pm, 12pm ET)
Defensively New Yorkers roster additions have paid off as safety Darrian Winston has been a bright spot since joining the Lions. Expect Winston and be busy today against a pass-happy Crocodiles offense. Linebackers Paul Veritas and David Müller give head coach Tomlin’s defense speed, toughness, and experience against a potent Cologne offense.
Cologne is coming off of a blowout victory in Berlin. In that game, Christian Strong orchestrated a humming offense finding Markell Castle and Aaron Jackson. Jackson and Castle have combined for 2,157 yards and 25 touchdowns, growing into the country’s top receiving duo. On the ground, Dean Tanwani gives the Crocodiles a versatile back who can move the chains as a runner or receiver putting up 714 total yards and eight scores. Fans can anticipate Cologne to test the Lions defense deep as New Yorkers’ secondary play had been questionable at times this season.
Colognes defense is coming off a dominant performance holding the Berlin Rebels to only seven points. Linebacker Martin Pinter leads this Crocodile’s unit with 24 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks leading the country in both categories. Expect the speedy outside linebacker to play well today as Cologne will need him to step up. On the back end Brown University (NCAA D1) alumni, Emory Polley and Dejvion Stewart look to slow a talented trio of Lions receivers.
Fan’s can expect a hard-fought matchup today as both of these squads are desperate to avoid fourth place and a long bus ride to the undefeated Schwabisch Hall Unicorns. New Yorker has turned their season around and is looking like one of the GFL’s best teams once again. Across the field, Cologne has flashed the potential to be a contender but has left something to be desired as far as consistency. Look for today’s game to be filled with big plays and lots of points as both teams have explosive offenses.