ELF Week 11 Power Rankings:
- Arnaud Dignocourt
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
The playoff race is now well underway, with several compelling games already in the books. Which teams have climbed the standings, and which have lost ground? Here’s a closer look. Every next game is mentioned as “next-week” but obviously it’s after the league-around bye-week.
1. Vienna Vikings
Who can stop BenVP? Week after week, they continue to impose their dominance and now stand out as the most serious contender in the league. Already assured of the No. 1 seed, they have combined a relentless offense with a rock-solid defense, making them the benchmark for every other team. Their next challenge will be crucial: facing the Panthers next week, they will be looking not only to maintain their unbeaten run but also to cement what could become a truly historic season.
2. Stuttgart Surge
Even without Reilly Hennessey on the field, the offense didn’t miss a beat. Young homegrown quarterback Lars Heidrich, recently re-signed by the team, stepped up with an impressive performance, throwing for three touchdowns, one interception, and completing 66% of his passes. The entire unit was firing on all cylinders, showing remarkable cohesion on both sides of the ball. Next week’s matchup against the Centurions will offer Heidrich another prime opportunity to solidify his rhythm and confidence before heading into the playoffs, where his role could prove decisive.
3. Munich Ravens
"They didn’t win in dominant fashion, but once again they showed consistency week after week. Tabor continues to prove to everyone that he is a true European standout, leading a well-structured team that seems built for the postseason. With several offensive weapons at their disposal and a defense that rarely cracks, they are shaping up to be a serious playoff threat. Next week’s clash with the Bravos will be the real test: can they overcome another all-around strong opponent and cement their contender status? All eyes will be on that matchup.
4. Nordic Storm
This was the big disappointment of the week. Everything seemed to unravel, and quarterback Jadrian Clark was noticeably off his game, a struggle we had already caught glimpses of back in Weeks 8 and 9. To be clear, this team is by no means weak, but their relatively soft schedule as a first-year franchise may have masked some of their flaws. Those vulnerabilities are now starting to show. One thing is certain: they will have those recent disappointing performances in mind next week when they meet the Sea Devils again, a crucial matchup in their bid to reclaim the No. 2 seed.
5. Paris Musketeers
They finally broke the curse, and in spectacular fashion. Scoring an astonishing 60 points in the first half, they seized control of the game early and even gave every newcomer and so-called 'bench-warmer' defensive snaps in the second half. However, the offense showed signs of stalling late in the game, a concerning trend they will want to correct before the playoffs when clutch playmakers will be needed most. Next week, they host the Mercenaries, a key opportunity to build momentum ahead of their much-anticipated revenge game in Austria.
6. Madrid Bravos
Reid Sinnett has firmly established himself as another serious MVP contender. Throwing five touchdown passes without a single interception, he delivered a performance that was nothing short of dominant. But he wasn’t the only standout, Seelig and Cruickshank were equally impressive, underlining the team’s overall strength. They controlled every quarter of the game, a level of consistency that becomes essential at this stage of the season. As the playoffs approach, it will be fascinating to see how far this team can go. Next week’s matchup against the Ravens will be a key indicator of whether they can sustain this form.
7. Rhein Fire
We weren’t sure it was even possible to score five touchdowns in a single quarter, but now we know. Jeffries put on an absolute clinic, throwing eight touchdowns in total and missing only two pass attempts all game. It was a display of near-perfect efficiency and commanding leadership that left little doubt about his ability to take over a game. Next week, they’ll face the Raiders with the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth, and all eyes will be on Jeffries to see if he can replicate this extraordinary performance.
8. Prague Lions
They’ve been impressive the whole season, though not always for the right reasons. This time, however, they managed to dominate their opponent the right way. As the saying goes, a win is a win, even against a weaker team. That said, the real test lies ahead next week when they go head-to-head with the Galaxy, a matchup that will truly reveal where they stand.
9. Raiders Tirol
This has been a fairly average, or ‘mid’, season by their standards. While they’ve shown flashes of potential, especially with a notable win over the Bravos in Week 5, consistency has been an issue. They've struggled to find their rhythm against stronger opponents, often falling short in key moments. However, there’s still a path to a positive finish. With two crucial games remaining against the Rhein Fire and the Centurions, they have the opportunity to turn things around and close out the regular season with a respectable 7-5 record. It won’t be easy, but the talent is there, now it’s a matter of execution and resilience down the stretch.
10. Frankfurt Galaxy
What a statement win against the previously "unbeatable" Nordic Storm! In a game where they left no doubt, the team capitalized on nearly every defensive turnover, and when it wasn’t a pick-six, the offense made sure to finish the job. Toby Naylor was nothing short of spectacular, putting on a defensive masterclass with 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended, and 4 tackles. Without question, he was the standout player on the field. Despite the odds, there's still a path, however narrow, to the playoffs. Currently sitting at 17% playoff probability, they'll need a miracle finish to punch their ticket. Here's what needs to happen:
Win both remaining games against the Lions and the Bravos
Hope the Bravos lose twice, against the Ravens and the Galaxy
Rhein Fire must drop one game, either to the Raiders or the Nordic Storm
Win tie-breakers against both the Raiders and the Lions
It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in football. This could be the most thrilling season finale for purple-clad fans across Europe, buckle up.
11. Wrocław Panthers
They didn’t play poorly against the Munich Ravens, but the gap between the two organizations was hard to ignore. There were moments of promise, but overall, the Ravens simply looked more polished, more consistent, and more dangerous. What’s concerning now is what’s coming next: a matchup against the Vienna Vikings. Facing back-to-back title contenders is never easy, and the pressure is mounting. Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. The Frankfurt Galaxy already proved that the Vikings can be beaten. Now it’s up to them to rise to the challenge and pull off a similar upset.
12. Berlin Thunder
It’s a shame they couldn’t replicate the magic from their performance against the Nordic Storm. Quarterback Sullivan was efficient on paper, missing only a handful of passes, but something was clearly off, the chemistry with his receiving corps just wasn’t there. He finished the game with barely 100 passing yards, a stat that reflects the offense’s overall stagnation. On the other side of the ball, the defense had trouble all game long. They struggled to contain impact players like Kwofie, who repeatedly found ways to break through and shift momentum. Fortunately, the upcoming matchup against Fehérvár should offer more breathing room. It’s a chance for the offense to get back on track, put points on the board, and for the team as a whole to build some much-needed confidence heading into the final stretch.
13. Hamburg Sea Devils
Tough day to be a Sea Devils fan, wasn’t it? At times, it felt more like one of those NFL "Mascots vs U10" charity games, and unfortunately, the Sea Devils looked like the U10 team. Outmatched, outpaced, and overwhelmed. Still, all hope isn’t lost. Maybe, just maybe, they can find a way to upset the Nordic Storm. It’ll take more than just execution, they’ll need to get inside the Storm’s heads, disrupt their rhythm, and play with fearless energy. If they can do that? Well, then nothing’s impossible.
14. Fehérvár Enthroners
This was a loss everyone saw coming, and it happened. No real surprise there, given it was against the Vienna Vikings. It’s never ideal to drop a game, but losing to a championship-caliber team isn’t exactly cause for panic. That said, things won’t get any easier from here. After next week’s matchup against the Thunder, they’ll face the red-hot Stuttgart Surge, and that’s a whole different level of challenge. The road ahead is rough, and if they want to stay in the race, they’ll need to elevate their game quickly.
15. Helvetic Mercenaries
Another week, another struggle to keep things together on the field. They held their own in a hard-fought first quarter, showing resilience and answering the early pressure. But as soon as the momentum started to shift, everything unraveled, fast. Execution, confidence, and composure all seemed to vanish as the game wore on. And now? They’re heading straight into what promises to be a Swissian purgatory next week against the Musketeers. If things don’t change quickly, it could be a long and painful outing.
16. Cologne Centurions
Not too bad, if you ignore the fact that they only really showed up in the fourth quarter. By the time they started to fight back, the game was already three quarters gone. Sure, they showed some heart late, but let’s be honest: it’s the same story every week. Slow starts, missed opportunities, and the same recurring issues that never seem to get fixed. And here’s the uncomfortable truth, if things keep heading in this direction, there’s a real chance this team won’t even be around next season. It’s harsh, but the writing’s starting to show on the wall.
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