Week 8 Power Ranking – Raiders drop out of Top 5 and more 

After Week 8 is in the books, the third European League of Football season begins to take shape at the midseason point. Let’s see where I rank the teams before Week 9 kicks off!

Previous: 1

Rhein Fire stays on top after demolishing the Cologne Centurions. They show how dominant they are week in and week out.

Previous: 2

The Vienna Vikings survived the Berlin Thunder at home in Week 8. As an undefeated team, they have to stay at two in this ranking. Although, they have showed some weaknesses and do not look as dominant as Rhein Fire over the recent weeks.

Previous: 4

Despite their third quarterback change, the Stuttgart Surge looked dominant. With former Leipzig Kings quarterback Kenyatte Allen under center for the Surge in Week 9, they were able to put up 27 points against the Barcelona Dragons in the first half alone. Their defense continues to look great. The Neuman era is well and alive and could propel the German franchise to their first playoff berth in franchise history this season.

Previous: 6

To start things off, I am not sold on the Frankfurt Galaxy yet. They have won their last three games within one score. Although they have the talent it takes to reach the playoffs, they looked shaky at times by not moving the ball in crucial situations or by just making mistakes like turnovers or unnecessary penalties. On Sunday against the Paris Musketeers, they came in clutch with a last-minute field goal to win the game. Don’t get me wrong, being 6-1 is tough in this league. So, they deserve to be up here. But they need a dominant win against the Enthroners in Week 9 to cement their status.

Previous: 5

The Berlin Thunder are now 0-2 against the Vienna Vikings this season which is a tough pill to swallow if you are a Thunder fan. They are currently competing for a playoff spot with the Wroclaw Panthers in their own conference as well as the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Tirol Raiders as interconference competition. In my opinion, they have what it takes to reach the postseason for the first time ever this season if they eliminate their penalties (152 yards in Week 8 against the Vikings) and general turnovers.  

Previous: 3

The Raiders fall three spots in my ranking despite their win and you probably know why. Releasing your starting quarterback Christian Strong after your 25-24 win against the Munich Ravens is one thing, but losing your best playmaker on offense in wide receiver Jarvis McClam with him hits different.

However, if the Raiders really felt like Strong is not able to get them to the Championship Game this season, this is the best timing to release him. You have one week left to sign his replacement prior to the signing deadline and also have two back-to-back bye weeks coming in which you can get your offense up to speed. This could all work out, but I truly believe losing McClam in the process was not the plan and will hurt the Raiders down the road. 

Previous: 7

The Hamburg Sea Devils are coming off a bye week. Despite their 3-4 record, the Hanseatic franchise looked great over the last weeks. But the change at quarterback still remains a big question mark, although former Istanbul Rams quarterback Isaiah Green could even make the Sea Devils offense more dynamic.

Previous: 8

The Panthers stay at eight for the moment. In Week 9, the Polish franchise will face off against the Prague Lions which is a winnable matchup. I still see the Panthers as a good team, but not good enough to make it to the post season.  

Previous: 9

The Munich Ravens suffered a heart-breaking loss against the Tirol Raiders last weekend. With a final score of 24-25, the Ravens lost by just one point. Despite their negative record, I do believe that they have what it takes to make a late playoff push. Let’s see what they will do against the upcoming Helvetic Guards this weekend.

Previous: 10

The Musketeers, just like the Ravens, are coming off a crushing loss. Winning against the Frankfurt Galaxy would have marked a turning point for the French team, but they are still not living up to their potential. Maybe their matchup against the 2-5 Dragons can provide a spark when quarterback Zach Edwards plays against his former team!

Previous: 11

I know the Guards just made it three in a row. But with just around 150 total yards on offense and a questionable turnover that led to a 100-yard touchdown return, I do not see the Guards moving up this week. They stay at eleven and have a great opportunity to prove themselves in Week 9 against the Munich Ravens.  

Previous: 12

Another week, another loss. I know this one was close, but the Seamen have to ask themselves how they can adjust to stop losing and start winning in this league. They will have another tough matchup coming up against the Stuttgart Surge this week.

Previous: 13

Another crushing loss for the Barcelona Dragons. Giving up 27 points in the first half without scoring any points yourself is not good in any situation. I know they changed their quarterback ahead of their Week 8 matchup due to an injured Conor Miller, but the Dragons are clearly not what they thought they were after going 2-0 against the Seamen and the Guards in the first two weeks of the regular season.

Previous: 14

The Cologne Centurions put out a statement in which they commented on their biggest loss in franchise history. Losing to Rhein Fire doesn’t automatically mean your team is bad considering their insane roster but losing to Rhein Fire by giving up 62 points suggests that you might want to consider some changes. Let’s see what solutions the German franchise comes up with over the next week.

Previous: 15

The Lions are back! But they still remain at 15 in this ranking because of their overall roster strength and the turmoil surrounding the team over the past week.

Previous: 16

The Enthroners got better over time. But they have to stay at the bottom of this ranking although they are no longer winless. They have some solid players but overall lack the roster depth to really compete for wins with the top teams in this league. Playing the Frankfurt Galaxy in Week 9 doesn’t make it any easier.