LIVESTREAM Germany: Potsdam Royals @ Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, July 23, 18:00 CET, (6 pm, 10:00 pm ET)

The German Football League heads into the second half of the 2022 season with the battle of the unbeatens in the GFL North the highlight of the weekend as the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (4-2-0) play host to the Potsdam Royals (5-0).

The Lions have been the best team in the GFL over the past decade and have been dominant in the past. With a victory, they could be on track to win their division for the 16th time and would become one of the favorites to reach the German Bowl for a 19th time.

The Royals on the other hand have been the story of the season as they have been playing like a team on a mission. If they continue, they could finish with an unbeaten record for the first time in their young history. A victory over the Lions would definitely make believers of anyone who thought they couldn’t win the division.

The Lions offense has been dominant over the last three weeks, outscoring their opponents 138 to 36. On the year so far, Braunschweig quarterback Jakob Parks has thrown for 1,162 yards and 13 touchdowns with his main target being Tamsir Seck who has grabbed 32 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

However, the Royals have been posting the best offense in the North, behind the play of their MVP candidate, quarterback Chris Helbig, who has had an exceptional season averaging 390.2 yards passing per game with a 68.9 completion percentage and 19 touchdowns. Four fifths of his targets are directed to his wide receiving duo of Jared Wolfe and Brandon Polk, who have combined for 1,598 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per reception.

Throughout the four seasons that the Royals have been in the top league, they have faced Braunschweig six times and have lost all but once. Their lone victory was a 50-3 mutilation of the Lions on the road back on July 10 of last year. Fortunately for the Lions, they were able to make up for it on August 28, winning 35-20.

Today’s contest promises to be a battle.

Potsdam Royals @ Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, July 23, 18:00 CET, (6 pm, 10:00 pm ET)

A recent graduate of Hofstra University in New York. He is currently a sports freelance journalist and podcaster