The playoffs are only five weeks away! Time to take a closer look at the teams still in the hunt for the coveted playoff spots. This time, we will analyze three German franchises, who still have a shot at the postseason. The current Playoff Picture can be found here.

As a reminder: The three conference champions will be ranked from #1 to #3, with #1 and #2 having a bye week and automatically qualifying for the semi finals, while the #3 will have to play in the Wildcard round. The other three wildcard spots will be given to the three teams with the best record. If teams are tied by number of wins, a tiebreaker will decide, starting with the head-to-head matchups. 

Cologne Centurions: With positive momentum towards the playoffs?

With two important wins in the last two games, the Cologne Centurions are back in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs. The Centurions are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference. The German franchise will have their work cut out, as the remaining schedule has some heavyweights waiting for them. 

First, they have to face the Madrid Bravos this upcoming weekend, in what could turn out to be a crucial matchup in the Western Conference, due to the tiebreaker rules. The Bravos won the first matchup in week 4, beating the Centurions 35-24. For Cologne it would be essential to find a way to win, ideally beating the Bravos by more than eleven points difference. In that instance, they would have the upper hand in a tiebreaker against the Spanish franchise.

The Centurions then have two home games against Frankfurt Galaxy and Paris Musketeers. The season closes with a matchup against Hamburg Sea Devils, whom they just beat, and Fehérvár Enthroners, who have won their last two games.

Bottom line: If the Centurions want to make it to the playoffs, they almost certainly have to beat Galaxy, the Sea Devils and the Enthroners. The German franchise also needs to find a way to win at least one of - if not both - matchups against the Bravos and Musketeers. Both teams are currently in front of them in the Western Conference. A loss against a direct opponent would put the Centurions' playoff hopes in major jeopardy and they would have to rely on other playoff candidates to struggle.

Berlin Thunder: Can Thunder get back on track?

Due to two losses in the last two weeks, Berlin Thunder have lost some ground in the playoff race. Still, the German franchise is in second place in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting on four wins and five losses. The Thunder only have three games remaining and are currently on a bye week.

However, the bye week is much needed, as the three remaining opponents will be difficult to deal with. First, the Thunder will host the Paris Musketeers and the Panthers Wrocław, then they have to play an away game against Rhein Fire.

While the Panthers have struggled a bit in the last week, Rhein Fire and the Musketeers are two very strong teams, both having their eyes on the postseason. The Vienna Vikings have already clinched the Eastern Conference, so the Thunder need to find a way into the postseason via the Wildcard round. 

Bottom line: Taking a look at the competition, the Thunder almost certainly will have to win all three games in order to have a realistic chance for more football games. Even if they manage to finish the season strong and collect three victories, their playoff hopes rely on other teams, such as the Bravos, Raiders Tirol or Musketeers, to blow their current lead. 

Munich Ravens: Easy schedule, easy wins?

Two wins in the last two games have put the light back on for the Munich Ravens, as they are currently in third place in the Central Conference with four wins and three losses. The Ravens are "In the hunt" - they are the next closest playoff candidate and have a somewhat easy schedule for the rest of the season, at least when looking at their opponent's records. 

First they have to play the out-of-form Milano Seamen, then the still winless Prague Lions. The stumbling Barcelona Dragons are also a must-win game the following week. The Helvetic Mercenaries have put in a couple of decent performances, but are still sitting at 1-7. 

The clash on the final matchday against the currently better-placed Raiders Tirol could be decisive. As of today, the Ravens need to overtake the Musketeers (6-1), Bravos (5-2) or Raiders (5-3) to make the playoffs. A direct matchup against Tirol could therefore be a season-deciding game on the last week of the regular season. 

Bottom line: Buckle up, Munich fans! The Ravens are in good form and are facing multiple beatable opponents, as they are looking to make a strong push for the postseason. All of this could culminate in an all-or-nothing duel against the Raiders Tirol on the final matchday!