ELF Week 8 Power Rankings
- Arnaud Dignocourt
- Jul 10
- 8 min read
Curious about what made headlines last week and what’s coming up in the days ahead? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you missed the action or just want a quick recap, we’ve got you covered. From standout moments and major upsets to what’s on the radar for the next few days, we’re diving into all the key highlights and upcoming stories you need to know. So sit back, get comfortable, and let’s take a closer look at the past week, and what’s waiting just around the corner!
1st. Paris Musketeers
For the first time this season, the Parisians have climbed to the top of the hill, and they did it in style. Quarterback Jaylon Henderson delivered arguably his best performance of the year, putting on a show that even he might’ve only imagined in his dreams. Sure, it came against one of the league’s struggling teams, but dominance is still dominance, and Henderson made it clear he’s hitting his stride at just the right time. But don’t get too comfortable, because next week is shaping up to be the game you won’t want to miss. Paris will host the formidable Vienna Vikings in what promises to be a high-stakes clash. And this won’t just be any regular-season matchup, members of the New Orleans Saints organization and representatives from the U.S. Embassy will be in attendance. With that kind of spotlight, there’s no room for error. The Parisians know they have to bring their A-game, and all eyes will be watching to see if they can rise to the occasion. p.s.: Join the GiveAway on Instagram to win 2 Premium Tickets to this Paris vs Vienna game!
2nd. Vienna Vikings
Ben Holmes played like a true MVP candidate this week, extinguishing the fire burning in Austria. He led his team to a dominant, flawless victory over the red-hot Prague Lions, a team that had been riding serious momentum. Shutting them out entirely wasn’t just impressive; it was a statement. From start to finish, it was a complete team performance, and Holmes was the spark that lit it up. But the real show is still to come. As we mentioned, next week promises what could be the biggest and most electric game of the entire season. The Parisian crowd is already buzzing, hoping for a massive celebration, especially with the matchup falling on the eve of Bastille Day, France’s national holiday. What better way to kick off the festivities than with a home win? Of course, the Vienna Vikings have every intention of playing spoiler. While the Parisians dream of turning the night into a fiesta, the Austrians will be aiming to silence the crowd and make their own mark in enemy territory. One thing’s for sure: the stage is set, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
3rd. Nordic Storm
Despite securing a win over the Sea Devils, it was far from convincing. In fact, they came dangerously close to an upset, and were arguably saved by the fact that Hamburg only found their rhythm too late in the game. For a team with championship ambitions, scraping by against a significantly weaker opponent is, frankly, a bit embarrassing. If they want to be taken seriously as true contenders, they’ll need to bounce back with a much stronger showing next week. And with the Rhein Fire on the horizon, the challenge is only getting tougher. It’s the perfect opportunity for redemption, or another warning sign that this team may not be as solid as it seems.
4th. Munich Ravens
Now that was a comeback. Trailing on the scoreboard for nearly the entire game, they somehow managed to flip the script in the final moments and steal a dramatic win against the Bravos. It wasn’t always pretty, but it showed grit, resilience, and the kind of determination you want to see from a team with playoff ambitions. Looking ahead, next week’s matchup against the Mercenaries shouldn’t pose the same level of challenge, at least on paper. But as we’ve seen time and time again, nothing is guaranteed in this league. If they want to keep the momentum rolling, they’ll need to stay sharp and avoid falling into the trap of underestimating their opponent.
5th. Stuttgart Surge
Let’s call it what it was, a straightforward matchup against the Enthroners, and they handled it exactly as expected. From the first whistle, they took control and never looked back. With the game well in hand, quarterback Reilly Hennessey was given a well-earned rest, and backup Heindrich stepped in to take the reins. And he didn’t disappoint. Heindrich threw for three touchdowns and just one interception, completing nearly 65% of his passes, a solid performance that kept the offense rolling and the scoreboard ticking. But next week? That’s a whole different story. They’ll be hosting the Frankfurt Galaxy in what could very well be a season-defining clash. With playoff implications on the line, the margin for error is razor-thin. This time, they’ll need all their starters firing on all cylinders.
6th. Rhein Fire
A truly… unsettling performance from the Rhein Fire squad. After holding their own through three quarters, they completely collapsed in the final stretch, tossing the last quarter straight into the bin. The turning point? A bizarre and almost surreal moment from quarterback Chad Jeffries. Midway through the fourth, Jeffries attempted a routine pass, but the ball inexplicably slipped from his hand and floated awkwardly just behind him. Then came the real shock: instead of reacting with urgency, Jeffries appeared frozen for a split second, gesturing as if the play had already ended, almost as if he believed it was a fumble and someone else’s problem. That moment of hesitation cost them dearly, and from there, the game spiraled out of control. And there’s no time to dwell on it, because next week, things won’t get any easier. They’re up against the Nordic Storm, a team with something to prove and plenty of hunger. If Rhein Fire wants to bounce back, they’ll need to tighten up, shake off the confusion, and bring a whole different level of focus.
7th. Tirol Raiders
What if? What if the 5–3 Raiders actually make a run and clinch a playoff spot? It’s no longer just a wild thought, it’s starting to look like a real possibility. Week after week, they’re getting better. Sharper. Hungrier. And honestly? It’s hard not to be impressed. They’ve found their rhythm at the right time, and momentum is very much on their side. Now, with a well-deserved break ahead, they’ll have time to recover, regroup, and prepare for what could be their most telling test yet: a home showdown against the Munich Ravens. That game will be more than just a matchup, it’ll be a measuring stick. A chance to prove whether this team is simply riding a hot streak… or truly playoff-caliber. One thing’s for sure: if the Raiders keep trending upward, they’ll be a team no one wants to face in the postseason.
8th. Madrid Bravos
They came up just short, despite a nearly flawless performance from Reid Sinnett, who threw for four touchdowns and did everything he could to carry his team to victory. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. The defense faltered in the closing minutes, allowing a late, game-winning touchdown that sealed their fate. Still, there’s no time to dwell on the loss. Next week offers the perfect opportunity to bounce back, as they face the Mercenaries, a team they should be able to handle if they tighten up on both sides of the ball. With their offense firing like this, all it might take is a bit more discipline on defense to get back on track
9th. Prague Lions
Damn, what a way to snap a winning streak. After building serious momentum, the Lions came crashing back down to Earth in a loss that raised more questions than answers. Were their recent flashes of brilliance just a mirage? A one-off spark rather than a sign of real growth? We’ll find out soon enough, though probably not next week. They’re set to face the Panthers, a team that hasn’t exactly struck fear into opponents much time this season. It might not be the matchup that gives us all the answers, but it’s a golden opportunity for Prague to get back on track and rebuild some confidence.
10th. Wrocław Panthers
That was a mistake-free performance, plain and simple. There’s not much more to say… except that running back Brzozowski absolutely went off. He had a day to remember, punching in four rushing touchdowns and powering the offense from start to finish. If they can ride that momentum and manage to unlock a few more pieces on both sides of the ball, they might just have a shot against the Lions next week. It won’t be easy, but with Brzozowski in this kind of form, anything’s possible.
11th. Frankfurt Galaxy
Another week, another drop, but this time, it’s not because of a loss. Their slide in the rankings is simply the result of a bye week. That said, the break is over, and they’ll need to come back with something to prove as they face the formidable Stuttgart Surge next week. It’s a tough matchup, and the perfect stage to show whether they’re still in the fight, or fading out of contention.
12th. Hamburg Sea Devils
They came this close to pulling off what might’ve been the biggest upset in league history (okay, maybe we’re exaggerating a little, or are we?). But as the clock ticked down, time simply ran out on their heroic effort. It was a heartbreaker, no doubt, but one that showed real fight. Now, they’ll have a week to rest and recover before gearing up for a high-stakes clash against the Rhein Fire. If they can bring the same energy, and tighten up just a bit, that next game could get very interesting.
13th. Berlin Thunder
A quiet week for them, thanks to the bye, so nothing much to report. But the break might’ve come at the right time, giving them a chance to reset and refocus. Next up: a manageable matchup against the Centurions, which could be the perfect opportunity to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
14th. Fehérvár Enthroners
It’s tough to pinpoint exactly where they stand in the overall picture, but one thing’s clear: they’ve been fighting harder lately than most of the other struggling teams. There’s still a long way to go, but at least they’re showing signs of life. However, there won’t be much time to breathe, next week they’re up against the Surge, and that’s anything but a relaxing matchup. If they want to keep trending in the right direction, they’ll need to bring their absolute best.
15th. Helvetic Mercenaries
Oof… that was more than just embarrassing. Even with a nearly rebuilt roster, there’s no real excuse for conceding that many points without putting up much of a fight in return. The performance lacked energy, cohesion, and any real sign of resistance, a tough look, no matter the circumstances. And things aren’t getting any easier. Next week, they’ll welcome the Munich Ravens into their own backyard, and if they don’t find answers fast, their “sanctuary” might feel more like a battleground.
16. Cologne Centurions
There’s not much we want to say about their latest performance, because, honestly, things need to change. Now. The level of play simply isn’t acceptable, and the team looks stuck in a downward spiral with no clear way out. Next week’s matchup against the Thunder might look more balanced on paper, especially given Berlin’s struggles… but let’s be real: if nothing shifts quickly, it’s shaping up to be yet another blowout, even against a capital team that’s far from elite.
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