LIVESTREAM Germany: Kiel Baltic Hurricanes @ Berlin Adler, Aug. 20, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10:00 am ET)

The Berlin Adler (4-4) will play host to the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (2-5-1) in a critical late season matchup as the German Football League heads into the home stretch.

This is the first meeting between these two teams this season. With two games left in the regular season, the Adler enter the game badly needing a win with both the Dresden Monarchs and Berlin Rebels hot on their heels in the battle for the fourth and final playoff berth in the GFL North.

After losing at home 51-17 to the Potsdam Royals back in late May, Berlin won three straight games, taking care of business against three teams below them in the standings.  But they then dropped three in a row, losing 31-17 to the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, 49-44 to the Berlin Rebels and then 50-35 to the Royals.

Kiel has won just two games this season, both against the last place and winless Dusseldorf Panther. 

Berlin’s quarterback, Zach Cavanaugh, had an outstanding season so far and is the second leading passer in the GFL having thrown for 2,243 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 35-year-old American has played well, as his abilities in the pocket and clutch plays late in games have been a major reason for Berlin’s success after being promoted from the second division.  He has been aided by standout receivers, including Max Zimmerman (47/828 yds/9 TDs) and veteran Patrick Donahue, who has 48 catches for 713 yards and four scores.

However, the Adler ground game is ranked 11th among the 16 teams in the GFL, right behind the 10th ranked Hurricanes. Berlin backs have rushed for a total of 899 yards in eight games, an average of 112.4 yards per game. Cavanaugh has accounted for almost half of those yards having rushed for 346 yards. Running back Ali Khalife has rushed for 311 yards on 72 carries.

For the Hurricanes, if they want to get back to the form of the perennial playoff team that battled for the North Division from 2007 to 2017, they need quarterback Henrik Wolk to continue the momentum. So far, since taking over as the starter in early July, he has engineered both wins for Kiel. For the season he has thrown for 692 yards and nine touchdowns, but 550 yards have come in the last four games. Wide receiver Khris Vaughn is a key though and has 47 receptions on the season for 599 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Hurricanes will be playing this game for pride while Berlin needs a win badly. Playing at home in front of their fans, the Adler should prevail.

Kiel Baltic Hurricanes @ Berlin Adler, Aug. 20, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10:00 am ET)