The 8-2 Stuttgart Surge will face the 7-3 Raiders Tirol in Week 13 of the regular season. With only one game apart in their record, this game is of enormous importance for the playoffs. Are the Raiders ready to overtake the Surge for first place in the Central Conference?

Raiders defensive back Devine Buckhram is ready to compete for the top spot in his conference. "Stuttgart emerged as this year's rival. This game means everything to us. A win by over 4 points could clinch our playoff spot". However, Buckhram is well aware of what the Stuttgart Surge are able to do. Just last year, the American defensive back lost the German Bowl against the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns when he played for the Potsdam Royals. The Surge now have a handful of players from that Unicorns team and are also coached by non-other than Jordan Neuman! 

"Last time in Stuttgart, victory slipped through our fingers. This game excites me more than any. It's a rematch that already feels like playoffs. Everything's on the line," the former XFL defender further commented. "Stuttgart's top-tier receivers vs. our stellar defenders. A major showdown. I’m fully confident we will be victorious if we handle business."

Is the Surge offense ready to deliver?

In his last game against the Raiders Tirol, German wide receiver Louis Geyer was able to come away with 52 receiving yards on four catches and caught the only touchdown of the entire game. At the end, the Surge came out on top with an all-time low score of 3-6. But what about their Week 13 matchup?

"Our goal is crystal clear: We want to secure our spot in the playoffs and earn home-field advantage. The Raiders want the same. That's why this game will have all of Europe's eyes fixed upon it," Geyer commented. "These would be my first playoffs in the ELF. It would be our dream to compete there. Hopefully, it won't stop at just one; we'll play three playoff games and win the third as well." 

When the Raiders host the Surge on Saturday at 6 p.m. CEST, German wide receiver Geyer is ready to line up across American wide receiver Buckhram. And when that time comes, it will just be about who wants it the most. Only time will tell.