"Everybody is united" – Fire’s playoff warning to Storm

Rhein Fire once again proved their championship pedigree in the top clash against the Nordic Storm. With a 27:19 victory at home, the Düsseldorf franchise not only secured another triumph in the European League of Football (ELF) but also sent a clear message to the competition: the dream of the historic Three-Peat, a third consecutive title, is alive.

At the center of attention was running back Jonathan Scott, who has become one of Rhein Fire’s X-factors in his debut ELF season. With 138 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, the 28-year-old from Panama turned into the game’s hero. His highlight play came on a long touchdown after a screen pass. “We send the screen and I just trusted my guys. I trusted my receivers, the offensive line. I knew that they would get the block,” Scott explained in an interview with ProSieben.

No rotation, full throttle until the end

Before kickoff, there was speculation whether both coaches might rest some of their starters, since both teams had already secured a playoff spot. But Rhein Fire went all in – and it paid off. Scott made the mindset clear: “We gotta play every game 100 percent. If you slow down, that's when injuries come, risk comes. So we had to pull it up and just go 100 percent as always.”

Indeed, it was a battle. Rhein Fire proved to be significantly more efficient, while the Nordic Storm defense fought hard. Scott’s versatility tipped the balance. 17 rushing attempts for 55 yards, plus 5 receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns – his stat line spoke volumes.

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Playoff preview in Düsseldorf

The game already carried the intensity of a playoff showdown. Both teams battled evenly, but in the end, Rhein Fire prevailed – though not without a fight. Remarkably, it was only the second loss in Nordic Storm’s young franchise history.

Late in the game, the guests surged and put Rhein Fire under heavy pressure. But the defending champions’ defense stood tall, shutting down crucial drives and sealing the road victory.

"Brotherhood" as the key to success

Rhein Fire’s return to form at the season’s crucial stage is no coincidence, says Scott. “Everybody is united right now. We are like a brotherhood, and that make the greatest,” he reflected after the game.

That unity may well be Rhein Fire’s biggest weapon as they chase their third straight championship. With two titles in a row, they remain the favorites – but the ELF is fiercely competitive, and the Storm will be hungry for revenge in the playoffs.

Watch the game highlights here!

Looking ahead: all or nothing in the playoff rematch

For Scott and his teammates, one thing is clear: the win over Nordic Storm was only the beginning. “It's gonna be a tough match. We know that we're gonna have a lot of our crowd on there, so we are confident about it. We're gonna win that game for sure,” he said confidently.

Fans can expect an electrifying showdown. The stakes couldn’t be higher: If Rhein Fire loses, the dream of a Three-Peat ends here. If they win, the path to a third consecutive championship remains wide open – and Jonathan Scott could cement himself as the key figure of this historic run.

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