LIVESTREAM Germany PPV: Saarland Hurricanes @ Pforzheim Wilddogs, Aug. 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)

The Pforzheim Wilddogs (7-4) head into their regular-season finale against the Saarland Hurricanes (2-8) Saturday knowing a victory alone may not be enough as they chase second place in the GFL South and a home playoff game.

Last week’s 26-22 loss to the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes complicated the picture for Pforzheim. The Wilddogs are now locked in a battle with the Ravensburg Razorbacks, and the numbers mean they need more than simply getting past Saarland.

Wilddogs need points

The situation gives the Wilddogs every reason to attack from the opening possession at KRAMSKI Arena.

Pforzheim enters the weekend 34 points behind Ravensburg in the touchdown-ratio calculation used to separate the teams. That puts pressure on the offense to keep pushing if opportunities are there rather than settling for a narrow victory.

Head coach Michael Lang made no secret of the approach.

“We have to fire everything our offense has to offer in the last matchday. We have to play fast and bring a high tempo into the game. Maximum points is the goal,” Lang said.

That makes Saturday an unusual regular-season finale. The Wilddogs will be watching the scoreboard, but they also have to take care of the opponent standing across from them.

Watch live PPV. Saarland Hurricanes @ Pforzheim Wilddogs, Aug. 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)

Hurricanes looking to build

The Hurricanes arrive with different priorities.

At 2-8, Saarland is no longer chasing the same postseason stakes, but the Hurricanes want to carry a solid performance into their final game against the Allgäu Comets.

That could make them dangerous. With little pressure on them Saturday, the Hurricanes can turn their attention toward disrupting Pforzheim’s plans and forcing the Wilddogs to earn every yard.

For Saarland, the game also offers a chance to build on the encouraging stretches it showed in its previous outing before heading into a season finale that carries much greater significance for its position in the GFL South.

Playoff positioning on the line

For Pforzheim, there is no easing into this one.

The Wilddogs have already put themselves in the playoff picture, but second place would bring the valuable advantage of opening the postseason at home. Closing the 34-point gap in the tiebreak calculation makes the assignment considerably tougher.

That means Pforzheim needs touchdowns, stops and as many possessions as it can create.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have the opportunity to wreck those plans.

For the Wilddogs, their final afternoon at KRAMSKI Arena before the playoffs is about winning first — and then seeing whether they have done enough.

Watch live PPV. Saarland Hurricanes @ Pforzheim Wilddogs, Aug. 22, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)