CNFA (Romania) Weeks 4–5 Power Ranking

Battles, Breakouts, and Big Wins – Weeks 4 and 5 Recap

With hard work, determination, and standout performances across the board, Weeks 4 and 5 have come and gone. As we head into the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is already clear. The top teams have secured their spots, and now it's all about momentum. With only one game left before the postseason, every team is looking to fine-tune their game and finish strong.

The standings remain the same at the top, and once again, one team stands above the rest:

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1. Bucharest Rebels

The Rebels didn’t take the field in Week 4 due to a forfeit by the Cluj Crusaders. But they came back strong in Week 5 with a statement win over the Mureș Monsters, defeating them 38–28. The Rebels proved yet again why they deserve the top spot in the rankings.

One noticeable change was at the quarterback position. Despite putting up fewer points compared to their Week 2 matchup against Mureș, the Rebels still found ways to dominate, especially through their wide receiver corps, which continues to be their biggest offensive weapon.

WR Gabriel Tache had a standout performance, scoring two touchdowns. WR/DB Elijah Aikens made big plays on both sides of the ball, racking up yardage on offense and flying around the field on defense. On the defensive side, Begad Mostafa shined with a pick-six early in the game, giving the Rebels a lead they would never give up.

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2. Mureș Monsters

In Week 4, the Mureș Monsters delivered a dominant performance in their home game against the Timișoara 89ers, securing a convincing 44–0 shutout victory. It was a crucial win that not only showcased their strength on both sides of the ball but also solidified their position in the top two — keeping their playoff hopes firmly intact.

In Week 5, the Monsters nearly pulled off an incredible comeback. They trailed 30–8 at halftime but fought back hard in the second half, eventually falling short by just one touchdown. Although it wasn’t enough to win, their second-half performance showed real grit and improvement.

Quevin Redding gave it his all, lining up at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back throughout the game. He managed to score a touchdown as a receiver. TE DJ Ruff was a major contributor as well, hauling in two touchdowns to help keep the offense alive. WR Christian Huber also added a score and contributed valuable yards to keep drives going.

On defense, the Monsters had trouble, particularly in their secondary. However, adjustments after halftime helped them slow down the Rebels, who managed just one touchdown in the second half. But it was too late.

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3. Timișoara 89ers

After a quarterback change in Week 4, the 89ers struggled mightily, failing to put any points on the board. However, things took a dramatic turn in Week 5. QB/RB Charles Arnold stepped up in a big way, putting the team on his back and scoring four touchdowns himself — a heroic effort that carried the 89ers to a much-needed win. Without Arnold, the offense looked completely lost.

Despite the victory, the team’s overall performance remains shaky. Both the offense and defense have been frustratingly inconsistent all season, often looking out of sync, unprepared, and lacking intensity. Still, thanks to this win, they managed to secure the final playoff spot, squeezing in just ahead of the Crusaders.

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4. Cluj Crusaders

Week 4 was a setback for the Crusaders, as they were forced to forfeit their game. But in Week 5, they showed more life on the field. QB Paul Cirja got things going with a rushing touchdown and connected better with his receivers than in previous games, throwing two passing touchdowns to keep his team in the fight. WR Marian Mikacs was a standout, contributing solid yardage, playing both sides of the ball, and even scoring a touchdown.

The Crusaders led for most of the game, but couldn’t hold on in the end as the 89ers clawed their way back to take the win. Defensively, Cluj simply couldn’t stop the run — their front line got pushed around, and their tackling was inconsistent at best. This loss officially ended their playoff hopes.

What’s clear is that the Crusaders still know how to play the game — the experience is there. But they’re missing the spark. Without key imports and with a thin roster, they’ve lacked true playmakers this season. They came close in both matchups against the 89ers… but close just isn’t enough.