The Playoff Picture Is Set – But the Drama Was Real
- davide.vismo
- Jun 14
- 6 min read
The playoff picture is finally set. While the four teams advancing to the postseason may not come as a huge surprise, Week 6 of the Hungarian Football League season was anything but predictable. From dominant blowouts to last-second thrillers, the penultimate round of the regular season delivered high stakes, standout performances, and a clear message: the best is yet to come.
1st. Győr Sharks
The Sharks hosted the Rangers at home, and as we've come to expect, any team facing the Rangers tends to put on a dominant show. This time was no different, as the Sharks cruised to a 49-0 win. There’s not much to unpack here, the stars delivered as expected. Nenad scored twice, and Drake-Koop added a rushing touchdown of his own. If nothing else, the game gave QB Drake-Koop valuable reps to run the playbook in real-game situations. One notable moment: young DB talent Marcell Kiss returned from injury. That could prove important, as the Sharks will host the Cowbells on June 15, a must-win if they want to secure the top seed, remain undefeated and face the Bulldogs in the playoff.
(Winner faces the Bulldogs, loser faces the Saints)
2nd. Budapest Cowbells
Since our last update, the Cowbells have played two games: a dominant win over the Wolves and a nail-biting thriller against the Saints. There’s not much to analyze about the Wolves game – the Cowbells took care of business with a 49-6 victory.
The Saints game, however, was a different story altogether. In what turned out to be one of the most dramatic games of the season, the Cowbells rallied from a 9-point deficit in the final minute to steal the win. The standout performer was once again Komiszár, who had an incredible all-around game. He forced a turnover as a safety in the first quarter, played lockdown defense throughout, and eventually became the hero on offense. First, he came down with Everson’s Hail Mary in traffic, then, after kicking the recovered onside kick, caught a 25-yard pass to set up the game-winning field goal – which he kicked himself. Of course, this win wasn’t just about one man. Quarterback Everson had two rushing touchdowns and two more through the air. His calm leadership kept the team composed and ready to strike when it mattered most.
Defensively, it was clear they came prepared for the Saints’ explosive run game, especially the electrifying Ambrus. Still, as well as they game-planned, you simply can't prepare for everyone when you're facing a Saints offense this stacked – and that was evident throughout the matchup.
The final regular season showdown awaits against the undefeated Sharks. Not only will it be a battle between top-tier teams, but it will also determine who claims the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
3rd. Újpest Bulldogs
This was a must-win game for the Bulldogs to clinch their playoff spot once and for all – and it showed early on that the pressure was real. The offense only managed 6 points in the first half, coming from a beautiful 60+ yard scramble by QB Emhő. On the other side, the defense held up well against a surprisingly well-coordinated Titans offense. The only touchdown allowed in the first half came after a turnover deep in their own territory, giving the Titans just 20 yards to work with.
In the second half, the Bulldogs benefited greatly from strong field position – much of it earned by the defense. Cornerback Santana came up with a spectacular interception on a poorly executed trick play, and safety Happ followed it up with an athletic pick off a tipped ball.
The offense responded. WR Fernandez hauled in two touchdowns, one of which was a ridiculous catch on a floating, near-dead ball. WR Bartos added a score of his own on a perfectly placed throw, showcasing the timing and accuracy between him and Emhő. WR Nash also found the end zone, adding another six points to seal the win.
With this victory, the playoff picture is complete – the only question remaining is whether the Bulldogs will face the Cowbells or the Sharks in the semifinal. That will be decided on the 15th when those two teams go head-to-head. Until then, the Bulldogs will travel to the Rangers on the 14th for a regular season finale with no playoff implications.
4th. Diósd Saints
For a moment, it felt like the Saints had finally returned to their early-season form. With several key players back in the lineup and a secondary reinforced by the addition of DB Nagy, the defense looked sharper and more cohesive than it had in weeks.
After a shaky start, the Saints took control and built a commanding 21–7 lead. But the Cowbells refused to go away, clawing back to make it 21–20 by the fourth quarter. Then came the turning point. After securing a first down in the final minute, the Saints had the opportunity to kneel out the clock and secure the win. Instead, they chose to score – a decision that proved costly.
Poor clock management overshadowed what was otherwise a promising performance. WR Pfisztner was the undisputed star of the game, exploding for 205 receiving yards and two breathtaking touchdowns - a 65-yard and a 99-yard sprint. He finally had the kind of breakout game we had been anticipating from him all season.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Saints can take a lot of positives from this performance. Their playoff ticket is already punched, and this game showed they're still very much a contender – slowly clawing their way out of their mid-season slump.
They’ll now benefit from a well-timed bye week and have nearly a full month to prepare for the semifinal. On June 28th, they'll travel to face the loser of the highly anticipated Sharks–Cowbells clash – two opponents the Saints would love a shot at for redemption.
5th. Budapest Titans
To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Titans needed a win and they came prepared. They kept the Bulldogs in check for most of the game, only unraveling in the final quarter. WR Lakatos had a monster outing, catching both of the team’s touchdowns and making several big plays. Losing starting RB Novakov on the opening drive was a major blow, but the imports stepped up admirably in the run game. The defense did its job for the most part — especially against the pass — and the 6 first-half points allowed tell that story. Most of the Bulldogs’ touchdowns came on short fields after offensive mistakes.
One aspect of the game that deserves more attention is the impact of WR Benedek – not just as a receiver, but as the team’s punter. While we haven't talked much about his punting this season, he once again showed just how valuable he is in that role. He repeatedly pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own territory, including multiple punts inside the 10-yard line. His work in the field position battle directly helped the defense stay competitive, and one of his punts even led to a turnover that the Titans converted into points.
With this loss, the Titans are officially out of playoff contention. But they still have one game left against the Wolves – a final opportunity to close the season with a strong performance.
6th. Budapest Wolves
Another tough outing for the Wolves, who were thoroughly dominated by the Cowbells. The first quarter was close, and LB Kardos even came up with an interception, but that wasn’t enough. The Cowbells were sharper, tougher, and more physical on both sides of the ball, leading to the 49-6 blowout. The Wolves will get one last shot to end the season on a high note on June 14, when they host the Titans.
7th. VSD Rangers
Another week, another blowout loss for the Rangers — this time a 49-0 drubbing at the hands of the Sharks. Their final game will be against the Bulldogs, who may rest their starters. That could be the Rangers’ best shot to show what they’re really made of before the offseason begins.
With one final week remaining, all eyes are now on the upcoming showdown between the Győr Sharks and Budapest Cowbells — a clash that will determine the all-important No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, the playoff-bound Bulldogs and Saints are locking in preparations for the semifinals, each hungry for a shot at the title. As for the Titans, Wolves, and Rangers, there’s still pride on the line and a chance to finish strong. The postseason stage is set — and the road to the Hungarian Bowl is officially underway.
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