The fourth week of NFL Europe play features one undefeated team, one winless squad and a pack of other teams trying to rise above the heap.
The Amsterdam Admirals (2-1) and Berlin Thunder (1-1-1) face off in a Week 1 rematch. In the first game, Berlin squeaked out a 33-29 victory but has not won a game since. Conversely the Admirals have a two-game winning streak and a high-octane offense, leading the league in several offensive categories. Amsterdam quarterback Gibran Hamdan was named Offensive Player of the Week after posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating, going 12-of-15 for 189 yards and three scores in a 38-20 win against Frankfurt. Berlin is last in the league running the ball with all 12 of its touchdowns coming on passing plays.
NFL Europe's only undefeated team, the 3-0 Rhein Fire, will host the only team still seeking a win, the 0-2-1 Hamburg Sea Devils. The Fire has given up a league-low 16 points and one touchdown in three games, a league record through three games. They are the leader in total defense (221.3 per game), rushing defense (88 per game) and pass defense (133.3 per game) and have forced a league-best 11 fumbles. Hamburg has struggled on offense, throwing a league-high four interceptions. The Sea Devils have run the ball more than any other team (108), but their 3.4 yards-per-carry fall at the bottom of the NFLE.
Two 1-2 teams, the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Cologne Centurions, round out the weekend's action. Galaxy features a balanced team, ranked second in offense and defense. Both teams have done a good job running the ball -- Frankfurt is No. 1 in the league with 145 rushing yards-per-game and 5 yards-per-carry while Cologne places second with 132 rushing yards-per-contest. One of the keys to victory may come in the takeaway department. The Centurions are 6 in turnover ratio, good for second in the league, while the Galaxy ranks fifth with a -4 ratio.
Week 4 NFL Europe League Television Schedule
(All games broadcast on NFL Network)
Saturday, April 8
Hamburg Sea Devils at Rhein Fire - 12:00 PM (CT) Live
Cologne Centurions at Frankfurt Galaxy - 7:00 PM (CT) Tape Delay
Sunday, April 9
Amsterdam Admirals at Berlin Thunder - 11:00 AM (CT) Tape Delay
Packers in NFL-E (tackles and passes defensed statistics unofficial)
S Atari Bigby (Amsterdam Admirals) - Started at free safety and made tow solo tackles and one pass defensed.
WR Vince Butler (Amsterdam Admirals) - Received playing time, but did not record any statistics.
CB Therrian Fontenot (Rhein Fire) - Made his second start at cornerback and notched three solo tackles and one pass defensed.
TE Tory Humphrey (Amsterdam Admirals) - Started at tight end and had one catch for 9 yards.
WR Chad Lucas (Amsterdam Admirals) - Started at wide receiver and posted two receptions, both for touchdowns of 4 and 22 yards.
DT Jerome Nichols (Frankfurt Galaxy) - Started at left defensive tackle and made a fumble recovery, plus one solo tackle.
C Pete Traynor (Rhein Fire) - Started at center and helped the team to 149 rushing yards.
QB Brian Wrobel (Berlin Thunder) - Did not play.
