Portugal: LPFA XV Team Grades
- Guilherme De Jesus
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 4
Another edition of the Portuguese American Football League has come to an end, once again capped off by a televised final. It was a season of plot twists, revenge stories, and new stars who stepped onto the stage and shone brightly. And we’ve now gathered all their grades.
Top of the Class
Lisboa Devils – A
The Devils did exactly what was expected of them: reach the final. With major reinforcements like Jordan Vieira and Chris Thelasco, plus a culture of consistency built over years by head coach and quarterback Bernardo Solipa, this team once again showed why they’re always contenders.
On offense, they were the complete package: a ground threat with Juzz and a dangerous passing game fueled by WR duo, Guilherme Solipa and Jordan Vieira. In the trenches, both offensive and defensive lines held strong. Defensively, it took them time to hit their stride, but when it mattered most late in the year, they delivered.
Why not an A+? That regular-season loss and a shaky playoff showing against the Navigators exposed moments of inconsistency. Still, this was a season where the Devils lived up to their name: a true menace for anyone in their way.
Cascais Crusaders – A−
Nearly flawless in the regular season, the Crusaders stormed through without a single loss. They even shook off an opening scare against the Braga Warriors to find their rhythm. Built on a young, hungry roster, this was a team with a chip on its shoulder after missing the playoffs last year. The result? A campaign that proved their resilience and growth.
Coach Paulo Terrinca has shaped a clear identity here, with quarterback Matias Manuel leading from the front and Paulo Alves terrorizing defenses on the ground.
But in the final, their inexperience showed. Against the Lisboa Devils, they couldn’t find a way back, and the 31–15 scoreline left no doubt. A− rather than A+, but this is a team with its future written in bold letters.
Solid Efforts
Braga Warriors – B−
A team with clear talent on both sides of the ball and a competitive spirit that showed early against the Cascais Crusaders. However, this season didn’t quite live up to last year’s standard. The once-dominant defense that posted multiple shutouts in the past wasn’t as imposing, and while the offense had flashes of quality, it wasn’t enough to carry them deep into the playoffs.
Eliminated in the first round, the Warriors still showed grit and promise. But given the high bar they set in previous years, the expectation was for more consolidation, not a step back.
Lisboa Navigators – C+
Statistically, the best defense in the country — led by MVP defensive lineman José Soares — but paired with an offense that rarely matched the same level. This imbalance defined their year. Despite boasting one of the largest rosters in the league, they too often failed to find an offensive spark when it mattered.
A regular season draw against a weakened Salgueiros Renegades side was the first red flag. In the playoffs, their lack of offensive firepower proved fatal. A case study in how even the strongest defense cannot carry a team on its own.
Maia Mutts – C
The Mutts embodied grit and togetherness. With quarterback Artur Faria at the helm, they fought every game with determination, but their thin roster left them stretched thin as the season dragged on.
Still, they picked up a notable win against the Lisboa Bulldogs and came within a single point of upsetting Braga Warriors (20–21). A cohesive, hard-fighting team that lacked depth but never lacked heart.
Struggles in Class
Salgueiros Renegades – D
On paper, a solid squad with quality players. But when QB Francisco Pereira went down injured, the offense collapsed. Their total dependence on their QB1 — a common issue in Portuguese football — left them one-dimensional and powerless in too many games.
From a playoff team last season to just one win this year, it was a frustrating campaign. Without offensive alternatives, the Renegades slipped down the ladder, struggling to find their way back to form.
Lisboa Bulldogs – F
Talent? Absolutely. With players like RB Pedro Monteiro and DBs Silvânio Semedo and Roberto Tavares, the Bulldogs had individuals capable of shining. And at times, they did, putting up 24 points against the Cascais Crusaders was proof of their potential.
But the problem was never talent, it was organization. Without team culture or structure, those flashes were isolated and unsustainable. Missing the playoffs and after a loss to the Maia Mutts, the Bulldogs ended up at the bottom of the standings. A wasted season that showed what they could be, but never quite were.
In summary
The Devils and Crusaders remain the standard-bearers, while the Navigators and Warriors hover in the middle tier. The Mutts and Renegades fought but lacked depth and balance, and the Bulldogs brought individual flair without team identity. Portuguese football continues to grow, but the exam papers show clear lessons for next year’s class.
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