After an exciting Wildcard Round, the playoffs are moving into the next stage, promising more great football games! Saturday’s game could be especially interesting. While the Paris Musketeers won a thrilling 37-40 battle against the Munich Ravens, the Vienna Vikings enjoyed their second consecutive bye week, using the extra time to prepare for this game.

Musketeers face another tough test

For the Paris Musketeers, the semifinal game against the Vienna Vikings will be another big test this season. Head Coach Marc Mattioli’s team has made significant progress compared to last season, particularly in close games. The Musketeers come from the Western Conference, arguably the toughest and strongest conference this year. With Rhein Fire, the Paris Musketeers, and the Madrid Bravos, the Western Conference sent three playoff teams, all of whom the Musketeers had to face this season. Games against teams like the Cologne Centurions and Berlin Thunder were also challenging, with the Musketeers proving themselves at the highest level. With only two losses to Western Conference champion Rhein Fire, the Musketeers finished the regular season with 10 wins. Their victory over the Munich Ravens showcased their ability to perform at a high level and ultimately come out on top.

Now, the undefeated Vienna Vikings await the Musketeers, presenting yet another top-tier challenge.

Musketeers' offensive playmakers shine

All season long, individual players from the Musketeers have posted impressive stats. The connection between Austin Mitchell and Zach Edwards has been particularly strong. With 1,010 receiving yards, Mitchell ranks fourth in the league and is the leader in receiving touchdowns. In the game against the Munich Ravens, Mitchell also proved to be a true weapon in both kick and punt returns, consistently giving his team great field position, which led to scores.

Zach Edwards is also having his best ELF season so far. With 3,057 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns, he ranks second in both categories. Edwards is also a threat in the running game. Despite being a quarterback, he rushed for 792 yards and scored 8 rushing touchdowns this season, making him the fifth-best rusher in the league!

Musketeers' defense should not be underestimated

The defensive side of the Musketeers is also very strong. They have the fifth-best defense in terms of total yards allowed. The Musketeers are also excellent at generating turnovers, forcing 21 turnovers throughout the regular season. Players like Stanley Zergebe and Dauson Dales are key to the Musketeers' strong defense. Zergebe, with 8 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, is a dangerous force at the line of scrimmage, while Dales is a tackling machine, solidifying the compact defense.

The secondary is also a crucial element, with players like Chandler Jones and Maceo Beard who are always a threat to read the quarterback’s eyes and snag an interception. Jones brings high-level college experience, and Beard was the Defensive Player of the Year last season. This backfield duo could make life difficult for Vienna Vikings quarterback Ben Holmes.

With maximum confidence and a roster full of championship potential, the Vikings face a tough challenge against the Musketeers, who, after their first playoff win, now have their sights set on the final.