The Rhein Fire (2-1), who fell to the Frankfurt Galaxy 28-10 last week for their first loss of the season, will look for redemption Saturday in their second consecutive game against an undefeated team when they host the Berlin Thunder (3-0) during Week 4 of NFL-E.
Led by quarterback Rohan Davey, who has completed 39-of-59 passes for 549 yards and six touchdowns, the Thunder boasts the league's leading offense with 727 passing yards and 330 rushing yards through 3 games.
In contrast, Rhein is one of only two teams (Amsterdam) in the league with five players to register at least one sack. As a team, the Fire have given up only 56 points, which ranks third in league play.
Not short on offensive weapons of their own, the Fire will counter with wide receiver Willie Quinnie, who is tied for sixth in the league for touchdowns, scoring one in each of the first two contests, while ranking second in the league in punt returns, averaging 13 yards per return.
Packers wide receiver Shockmain Davis currently ranks second in the league averaging 29.3 yards per kickoff return. On the season, Davis has six returns, including a 93-yard touchdown return in Week 1 against the Cologne Centurions.
One team will walk away with its first victory of the season, while the other continues to search for answers when Cologne (0-3) meets the Scottish Claymores (0-3) for the first time ever Saturday.
Tying the NFL-E record for lowest total points scored in a game, the Claymores failed to break their losing streak last week with a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Amsterdam Admirals.
Cologne, which was undone by special teams mistakes in Week 1 and offensive turnovers in Week 2, failed to tame the high-powered Berlin offense last week, falling to the Thunder 35-31.
Packers defensive end Eric Powell is tied for third on the Centurions with 10 tackles (6 solo) and one pass defensed. Defensive end Cullen Jenkins and cornerback Erwin Swiney each have five tackles for Cologne.
Coming off their first victory of the year -- a defensive battle with the Scottish Claymores that saw only 3 points scored the entire game -- the Amsterdam Admirals (1-2) look to avenge their Week 1 34-11 pounding by the Frankfurt Galaxy (3-0) when the two teams collide again this Sunday.
In their first meeting, Amsterdam turned the ball over seven times while allowing Frankfurt to gain over 200 yards on the ground. But in their past two games, the Admirals have not turned the ball over once, while the defense has turned things around with two interceptions and five sacks since Week 1.
Packers tight end Tony Donald ranks third on the Admirals with 10 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. Cornerback Derek Combs has eight tackles, while linebacker Steve Josue has five tackles.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt, which last week lost the second-leading rusher in NFL-E this season when running back Leonard Henry (Dolphins) was put on injured reserve with a hip flexor injury, will return with running back Skip Hicks, the third-leading rusher and leading scorer in the NFL-E.
For more on NFL Europe, click here.
Week 4 TV Information --
*Saturday, April 24, Berlin Thunder (3-0) at Rhein Fire (2-1) - noon CT (NFL Network); Delay 7 p.m. (NFL Network).
*Sunday, April 25, Frankfurt Galaxy (3-0) at Amsterdam Admirals (1-2), 8 a.m. CT (DirecTV); Delay 7 p.m. (NFL Network).
Week 4 Results --
Amsterdam 3, Scotland 0 (Attendance: 10,971)
Berlin 35 , Cologne 31 (Attendance: 12,036)
Frankfurt 28 , Rhein 10 (Attendance: 27,213)
Packers In NFL-E --
Derek Combs, CB (Amsterdam Admirals) -- 8 tackles (8 solo), 3 special teams tackles ... Last Week: Recorded 2 solo tackles and 2 special teams tackles.
Shockmain Davis, WR (Rhein Fire) -- 5 catches for 59 yards; 6 kickoff returns for 176 yards, 1 touchdown (93 yards) ... NFL-E co-Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 1 ... Last week: Made first start of the season at WR. Had 2 catches for 9 yards. Was the main recipient on kickoff returns, returning four kickoffs for a total of 54 yards (13.5 avg.) with a long of 18 yard.
Tony Donald, TE (Amsterdam Admirals) --10 catches for 116 yards, 1 touchdown ... Last week: 1 catch for 13 yards.
Cullen Jenkins, DE (Cologne Centurions) -- 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 quarterback pressure ... Last week: 4 tackles (2 solo).
Jason Jimenez, T (Frankfurt Galaxy) -- 3 games played.
Steve Josue, LB (Amsterdam Admirals) -- 5 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack ... Last week: 1 assisted tackle.
Eric Powell, DE (Cologne Centurions) -- 10 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass defensed, 1 fumble recovery ... Last week: 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 pass defensed.
Erwin Swiney, CB (Cologne Centurions) -- 5 tackles (5 solo), 1 fumble recovery ... Last week: 2 tackles (2 solo).
Walter Williams, RB (Rhein Fire) -- 3 carries, 1 yard ... suffered broken hand in Week 1 ... Last week: out 4-6 weeks (broken hand, 4/4).
