During Week 11 of the 2024 ELF season, a clear line of distinction emerged between the contenders and pretenders in the league. Despite facing new obstacles in the form of injuries to quarterback Reilly Hennessey and backup quarterback Lars Heidrich, the Stuttgart Surge showcased their resilience. They became the latest team to clinch a spot in the 2024 playoffs, joining the Vienna Vikings and Rhein Fire as teams that have already secured their playoff berth.
Several other teams are still battling to earn their spot in the playoffs, with the Paris Musketeers and Madrid Bravos being the following teams in line to clinch a place in the post-season. The Munich Ravens, taking advantage of a bye week for the Tirol Raiders, have evened up their record with the Raiders at 6-3. The stage is set for an intense showdown as they prepare to face each other, with the last playoff spot on the line.
Other ELF teams, including the Panthers Wroclaw, Berlin Thunder, and the Cologne Centurions, are on the edge of being eliminated from the playoff race but still have a minimal chance of getting back in. Seven teams will not be able to participate in the 2024 playoffs. For the Prague Lions, Helvetic Mercenaries, Barcelona Dragons, Fehervar Enthroners, Hamburg Sea Devils, Milano Seamen, and Frankfurt Galaxy, the goal is to finish the season on a high note and build momentum heading into the off-season.
Let’s take a closer look at the games from Week 11 of the ELF season as teams prepare for either the post-season or the off-season in 2024.
Vienna Vikings (11-0) 49, Helvetic Mercenaries (1-9) 3
The Vienna Vikings continued their undefeated season with an impressive win over the Helvetic Mercenaries. Vienna’s offense had an explosive game, with quarterback Ben Holmes completing 21 out of 31 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns, and running back Karri Pejarinen also added 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns running the ball. Vikings receivers Reece Horn and Noah Toure had around 100 receiving yards and a touchdown apiece. The Mercenaries offense struggled to find a rhythm against the Vienna defense, with Helvetic quarterback DeAndre Clayton competing 17 out of 39 passes for 154 yards and an interception.
Madrid Bravos (7-2) 52, Hamburg Sea Devils (2-7) 9
The Madrid Bravos look increasingly like a playoff team each game during their first season in the ELF. This week, the Bravos exploded offensively against the Hamburg Sea Devils, and the Bravos quarterback Steven Duncan led the Madrid herd by completing 18 out of 22 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Madrid running back Eduard Malin added two more touchdowns for the Bravos. The Sea Devils struggled to get their passing game ignited, with quarterback D’Angelo Fulford only completing seven passes. Still, the Hamburg offense did show some life, with running back Lucas Harting Candido running for over 100 yards in the Sea Devils losing effort.
Stuttgart Surge (9-0) 51, Milano Seamen (3-7) 18
The Stuttgart Surge became the third ELF team to clinch a spot in the 2024 playoffs. Stuttgart had an outstanding day on offense against Milano. Still, in defeating the Seamen, the Surge had quarterback Reilly Hennessey and backup quarterback Lars Hedrich leave the game with injuries. Wide receiver Yannick Mayr finished the game at the quarterback position for the Surge. Milano quarterback Eystin Salum has struggled to get his footing while attempting to lead the Seamen offense. Seamen running back Jocques Crawford was a bright spot for Milano, with Crawford rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Cologne Centurions (4-5) 43, Frankfurt Galaxy (3-6) 37
The Cologne Centurions came into this week needing a win to avoid being eliminated from the 2024 playoffs this week. Early on, the Centurions found themselves down significantly against the Frankfurt Galaxy but put together a historic 21-point comeback and won overtime against the Galaxy. Cologne’s comeback made history as the biggest comeback in the four-year history of the European League of Football. Matthew McKay allowed the Galaxy to pick up their fourth win of the season by completing 17 out of 33 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns. Still, Frankfurt was unable to hang onto their early lead to get a win during a frustrating season for the Galaxy.
Paris Musketeers (7-2) 40, Berlin Thunder (4-6) 37
The Paris Musketeers are another team that has proven to be a playoff-caliber team in the ELF. This week, the Musketeers had to fight hard for their seventh win against the Berlin Thunder, which also clings to hopes of making the playoffs. Musketeers quarterback Zach Edwards completed 22 out of 28 passes for 352 yards and six touchdowns for Paris. Wide receiver Austin Mitchell had a massive game for the Musketeers, catching seven passes for 162 yards and four touchdowns. Berlin quarterback Jakeb Sullivan threw for 313 yards, three touchdown passes, and ran four two more touchdowns for the Thunder, but the Thunder came up just short of picking up a massive win against a playoff-caliber opponent.
Munich Ravens (6-3) 47, Prague Lions (0-10) 14
The Munich Ravens pulled even with the Raiders Tirol for the last playoff spot. Both teams now have 6-3 records, with a head-to-head matchup before the season ends. Munich earned their sixth win with a dominant win over the Prague Lions, who are winless for the season. Ravens quarterback Chad Jeffries was a big part of the Raven’s success, throwing for 281 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. Prague quarterback Anthony Perkins Jr. failed to get in a rhythm in the passing game, throwing for only 133 yards, but he did add 61 yards on the ground. Perkins Jr. threw a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown in a losing effort.
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