Just seconds after seeing the Cologne Centurions tie the game at 7-7, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Shockmain Davis put the Rhein Fire back on top with the team's second 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Davis, who signed with the Packers as a free agent in February, also caught two passes for 39 yards Sunday in the 26-25 Week 1 victory.
Packers defensive end Eric Powell had three tackles while cornerback Erwin Swiney added two stops for Cologne. Both players each had one fumble recovery for the Centurions.
Trailing 25-24 late in the fourth quarter, the special teams would again step up for the Fire, this time sealing the game when the Centurions' failed punt attempt was fumbled out of bounds in the end zone for a safety.
Cologne will look to bounce back when they host Frankfurt next Saturday. Rhein will face Amsterdam.
In other NFL Europe action, Packers offensive tackle Jason Jimenez and the Frankfurt Galaxy (1-0) -- last year's World Bowl Champions -- got the best of Packers teammates cornerback Derek Combs, tight end Tony Donald and linebacker Steve Josue of Amsterdam (0-1) with a 34-11 season-opening victory over the Admirals.
Donald, who switched from linebacker to tight end during training camp last season, had 5 catches for 65 yards -- scoring the Admirals' only touchdown of the day on a 19-yard pass from quarterback Clint Stoerner late in the fourth quarter.
On defense, Josue contributed 4 tackles and 1 sack while Combs had 1 tackle.
Frankfurt will put its 1-0 record on the line with a road game vs. Cologne, Saturday. Amsterdam will host the Berlin Thunder.
For more on NFL Europe, click here.
Week 1 Results
Frankfurt 34, Amsterdam 11 (Attendance: 21,269)
Rhein 26, Cologne 25 (Attendance: 22,736)
Berlin 20, Scotland 14 (Attendance: 14,257)
Week 2 Schedule (Saturday, April 10, 2004 )
Berlin at Amsterdam 12:00 PM (CT)
Frankfurt at Cologne 12:00 PM (CT)
Scotland at Rhein 12:00 PM (CT)
