HFL Week 4 Power Rankings

The latest week in the HFL delivered everything a football fan could ask for: stunning upsets, dramatic second-half turnarounds, and some major shakeups both on and off the field. Just as teams seemed to settle into their rhythm, the script was flipped – as star players departed and injuries struck key personnel, new faces emerged and underdogs rose to the occasion. The Bulldogs delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season, while elsewhere quarterback changes and coaching decisions altered the HFL landscape. As the regular season nears its conclusion, every snap, every decision, and every adjustment is magnified. If this week has taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe and no matchup is predictable.

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1. Győr Sharks

The Sharks have undergone a major transition since their week 3 win over the Saints. Star QB Brickhandler, who had been playing at a high level, had to return home and not long after, transferred to Ohio State University (yes, you read that right, he got offered by THE Ohio State University). Fans barely had time to panic, though, as the team moved quickly and brought in another high-caliber QB in Tyler Drake-Knoop. The 25 year old signal caller wasted no time proving his worth accounting for 4 total touchdowns against the Titans in a statement week 3 performance. Despite only arriving on the Monday before the game, he grasped the offensive scheme remarkably well and fit in seamlessly. He quickly found chemistry with his teammates, especially import WR Nenad, who caught two touchdowns and became a frequent target, perhaps too frequent at times as Drake-Knoop even tested double coverage to get him the ball. In Drake-Knoop, Gyor may have found a QB strikingly similar to Brickhandler:  poised, a strong pocket presence, and a true dual threat. With Tyler under center, a trip to the championship still feels very much within reach. The team also reinforced the backfield by signing French RB Warren Mudingayi who, like Drake-Knoop, quickly adjusted and immediately contributed key yardage. Defensively, the Sharks remained as solid as the previous week. Outside of the Titans’ opening drive (an impressive touchdown march), the defense stayed locked in, forcing multiple punts and controlling the game. With LB Pretorius sidelined due to an injury sustained against the Saints, the rest of the linebacker corps stepped up. LB Veber even made a highlight-reel interception, much to the delight of the home crowd. With this win, Gyor has locked in a playoff spot. In order to stay unbeaten though, they will need to keep playing at this level – easier said than done. While next week’s matchup against the struggling Rangers may not pose a serious threat, their regular season finale against the Cowbells will be a true test of their championship credentials.

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2. Budapest Cowbells

Unfortunately, we didn’t learn too much about the Cowbells in their lopsided win over the Rangers. It was a clear and dominant victory. QB Everson put on a show with three passing TDs and two rushing touchdowns. The game served as more of a live-fire scrimmage, giving players valuable reps and a chance to fine-tune the playbook in a real-game setting. There isn’t much more to analyze here. The real question now is whether they can carry this strong momentum from such a dominant win into their upcoming matchups. First against the Wolves, and then in the crucial showdown with the Saints on the 31st (which should lock in home-field advantage for the playoffs). The Saints matchup will undoubtedly demand more focus, but the clash with the Wolves is not one to overlook either, especially with the storied rivalry between the two clubs that always delivers a fiery, hard-fought battle for fans and players alike.

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3. Újpest Bulldogs

Újpest pulled off the upset of the week with their win over the Saints. The Bulldogs started the game confidently, with Nash quickly finding the end zone for a touchdown before quickly losing that lead. In fact, at halftime things were going as expected with the Saints leading 19–7. Coming out of the break however, the Bulldogs found the antidote to the Saints’ defense and began capitalizing on opportunities given. They clawed their way back from a two-possession deficit and managed to snag the lead in the second half. The real excitement came in the fourth quarter, when the game turned into a true shootout with both teams scoring a total of 28 points. In the end, the Bulldogs weather the storm and emerged victorious. British WR Nash deserves a major shoutout for an incredible 4-touchdown performance. QB Emhő also had a strong outing himself and continues to improve his accuracy and decision-making. One looming question, however, is the status of WR Schrieber, whose injury raises some concern. Újpest will be hoping he will be fully fit and available for the crucial games ahead. On the defensive side, things weren’t as sharp - conceding 33 points tells that story - but the offense made up for it. The secondary struggled to contain the Saints’ dangerous passing attack which repeatedly found ways to exploit coverage breakdowns. I’m not entirely convinced the Bulldogs are the stronger team when looking at the big picture, but with this win they’ve certainly earned the right to move up the rankings. I’m eager to see whether they can back it up and prove they truly deserve their place among the league’s elite.

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4. Diósd Saints

Following their loss to Gyor, the Saints also went through a shake-up, parting ways with both their HC and OC. They brought in renowned head coach István Kovács, a true top-class figure in Hungarian football and a multiple-time national champion with the Wolves. Unfortunately, they also lost two of their import stars: WR/DB Goodman and DE Rampersaud.On the bright side, the coaching change clearly had a positive effect. The team looked far more relaxed and confident in their week 4 matchup, throwing up 33 points and taking the lead multiple times throughout the game. WR Pusztai had a standout game with two touchdowns and several explosive plays. As always, Ambrus delivered a highlight - this time a dazzling 90-yard TD before leaving the game with a suspected concussion following the ensuing kickoff. Ultimately, it was their defense that let the Saints down – specifically the secondary, which gave up three touchdowns on the exact same offensive play. While injuries were a factor, this kind of execution simply isn’t acceptable to stay competitive in the HFL. If they want to keep their championship hopes alive, major improvements are needed, and fast. The regular season finale on the 31st against the Cowbells has now become a must-win.

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5. Budapest Titans

The Budapest Titans started off strong against the Sharks, marching down the field without an incomplete pass and scoring on the opening drive with impressive run plays. But the offense stalled from that point on, only managing a late-game TD by WR Benedek that came too little, too late. They finally began to utilize their import receivers, who were able to move the chains effectively. Still, it wasn’t enough. While the defense wasn’t particularly sharp (blown coverages and too many missed tackles) they still managed to hold their ground and contribute when it counted. They came away with a safety, which gave a helpful boost to the offense. Make no mistake, this team will need much more if they want to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Their next stop: a must-win road game against the #2 ranked Cowbells.

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6. Budapest Wolves

The Wolves haven’t played a game since the last power ranking. Mathematically, they still have a chance to make the playoffs. They had a crucial three-week break, which they needed to use well to prepare for the tough challenge ahead – an away game against the undefeated Cowbells May 25th.

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7. VSD Rangers

Another week, another tough blow for winless VSD, who suffered another heavy defeat against the Cowbells. This season has gone far from what the team had envisioned. There are small signs of improvement, but they remain vastly outmatched and mistake-prone. The 40–0 scoreline speaks for itself. To top things off, it doesn’t look like the road will get any easier with their final two matchups coming against the top-ranked Gyor Sharks and the #2 Újpest Bulldogs.

With playoff spots essentially locked in, the focus now shifts to positioning, momentum, and making a statement before the HFL postseason begins. Teams at the top are battling for home-field advantage and a psychological edge, while others look to iron out the last wrinkles in their game. The intensity isn’t dropping - in fact, it’s only rising - as rivals clash and contenders aim to send a message. The regular season finale is just around the corner and it is clear: the road to the championship is far from smooth.