German Football League Week 17: Playoff scenarios and pride on the line

AFI | Allgau Comets | 08/29/2025

Graphic: Dante Bustos

The ERIMA GFL’s Week 17 slate features pivotal clashes across Germany, with playoff berths, seeding implications, and regional pride at stake. Five matchups will shape the final standings ahead of the postseason, headlined by the Berlin Rebels’ playoff push and the Pforzheim Wilddogs’ quest for a higher seed.

Saturday, August 30

Braunschweig New York Lions (5-5) @ Hildesheim Invaders (4-6)
At Helios Field, the Hildesheim Invaders face the Braunschweig New York Lions in a Lower Saxony derby. Though playoff hopes are slim for both, regional bragging rights matter. Hildesheim, winless against Braunschweig in the GFL since 2019, seeks to disrupt the Lions’ rhythm. A victory keeps faint playoff hopes alive, but they’ll need Kiel or Berlin to collapse in their final games.

Munich Cowboys (5-4) @ Berlin Rebels (6-4)
The Berlin Rebels (third in the North) host the Munich Cowboys (second in the South) at Mommsenstadion in a cross-conference showdown. Berlin needs a win to secure a playoff spot, while Munich aims to challenge Ravensburg for the South’s top seed. The Cowboys’ stifling defense, which shut out Kiel 21-0 earlier, faces Berlin’s desperate offense. A Rebels loss could open the door for Kiel to snatch the North’s final playoff berth.

Straubing Spiders (3-7) @ Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (5-5)
The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, clinging to playoff hopes, visit the resurgent Straubing Spiders. A Unicorns win, coupled with a Saarland Hurricanes loss, would secure their postseason bid. Straubing, riding a three-game win streak, looks to play spoiler behind RB Sidney Gibbs’ league-leading rushing attack.

Pforzheim Wilddogs (6-5) @ Saarland Hurricanes (3-7)
The Pforzheim Wilddogs, already playoff-bound, host the Saarland Hurricanes at Kramski Arena. Saarland needs a win and a Munich loss to Berlin to sneak into the playoffs. Pforzheim, despite a recent 21-56 thrashing by Ravensburg, can clinch third in the South with a victory. QB Walter Kuhlenkamp leads a Hurricanes offense that must exploit Pforzheim’s post-break defensive struggles.

Sunday, August 31

Dresden Monarchs (10-0) @ Paderborn Dolphins (1-9)
In a dead-rubber matchup, the relegated Paderborn Dolphins host the Dresden Monarchs, who are prepping for next week’s North title decider against Potsdam. Dresden’s starters may rest, while Paderborn shifts focus to relegation planning. The Dolphins’ opponent will hinge on results in GFL2, where Hamburg Pioneers lead a three-way tie for promotion.

Ravensburg Razorbacks (6-4) @ Allgäu Comets (2-7)
The playoff-bound Ravensburg Razorbacks (6-4) face the struggling Allgäu Comets (2-7) at Illerstadion Kempten. Ravensburg, averaging 34.8 PPG, aims to secure playoff seeding, while Allgäu—riding a six-game skid—looks to avenge their narrow 42-35 loss to the Razorbacks earlier this season.

Week 17 Stakes
With Ravensburg and Pforzheim already qualified, the South’s final spots hinge on Munich and Schwäbisch Hall’s results. In the North, Berlin and Kiel battle for third, while Dresden and Potsdam await their heavyweight clash. Week 17 promises drama, desperation, and a glimpse into the GFL’s postseason landscape.