Just as was the case in 2004, Week 2 of the 2005 NFL Europe season is made up of three match-ups featuring winners from the opening weekend facing losers from Week 1 action. Last season, all six teams continued their winning or losing ways from their openers, leaving a two-game gap between the top and bottom halves of the standings.
Not surprisingly, each of the participants in last season's World Bowl - the Berlin Thunder and the Frankfurt Galaxy - came out of the group that started 2-0, so this weekend's contests could go a long way to foretelling which teams will be meeting in World Bowl XIII come June.
As will most likely be the case throughout the season, there will be Packers allocates involved in each of this week's games, with two of the contests again available for viewing on television in the United States.
Amsterdam Admirals (1-0) at Frankfurt Galaxy (0-1)
The Admirals hit the road for the first time in 2005, looking to extend their winning ways after topping the Rhein Fire last week in Amsterdam. Green Bay linebacker John Garrett will be meeting three Packers teammates in Frankfurt's Sam Breeden, Jamal Jones and Seante Williams.
This Saturday game kicks off the weekend slate with the game scheduled for noon (CDT). TV coverage of the game will be available on DirecTV.
Cologne Centurions (1-0) at Rhein Fire (0-1)
Fire quarterback Scott McBrien and his Rhein teammates will be welcoming local rivals Cologne to their new home, the LTU Arena. More than 30,000 fans are expected to turn out as the two teams battle for the Rhein Cup, with the mayors of Cologne and Düsseldorf on hand to witness the game between the teams from the cities whose civic rivalry dates back more than 700 years.
From a Packers standpoint, this is a one-sided affair with the Fire boasting four Green Bay allocates - McBrien, defensive back Chris Day, offensive lineman Steve Morley and defensive tackle Doug Sims. Centurions defensive back Wendell Williams will miss this week's game due to injury.
Coverage of this game, which kicks off at 9:00 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, will be available on the NFL Network.
Hamburg Sea Devils (0-1) at Berlin Thunder (1-0)
The Sea Devils face the daunting task of picking up the franchise's first ever victory in the home of the defending World Bowl champions this week. They hope to rebound from a difficult 24-23 defeat at Cologne last weekend that saw the clock run out as the field goal unit was attempting to set up for a potential game-winning 51-yard field goal.
The only Packers involved in this game will be on the visiting side, with punter B.J. Sander and linebackers Nick McNeil and Shawn Morgan lining up for the Sea Devils. Berlin's Joe Hayes is rehabbing an injury and will miss his second straight game for Berlin.
No television coverage will be available for this 9:00 a.m. (CDT) kickoff, but you can follow the game live on NFLEurope.com.
Week 2 TV Information
Saturday, April 9 - Amsterdam Admirals at Frankfurt Galaxy - Noon CDT, DirecTV (LIVE); 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. CDT, NFL Network (Delay)
Sunday, April 10 - Cologne Centurions at Rhein Fire - 9:00 a.m. CDT, NFL Network (LIVE); 7:00 p.m. CDT, NFL Network (Delay)
Week 1 Results
Berlin 30, Frankfurt 7 (Attendance: 16,199)
Cologne 24, Hamburg 23 (Attendance: 9,468)
Amsterdam 24, Rhein 14 (Attendance: 10,234)
NFL Europe Packers In Week 1
WR Sam Breeden (Frankfurt Galaxy) - Started at receiver and had one reception for 34 yards.
CB Chris Day (Rhein Fire) - Returned four kickoffs for a league-high 109 return yards (27.3 average).
LB John Garrett (Amsterdam Admirals) - Played in a reserve role in win over Rhein.
WR Jamal Jones (Frankfurt Galaxy) - Led Galaxy with four catches for 38 yards from his starting wideout position.
QB Scott McBrien (Rhein Fire) - Split time at QB and led the Fire on to their lone touchdown. Completed 8 of 16 passes for 89 yards with a TD and an interception. Was sacked once and also had one rushing attempt for three yards.
LB Nick McNeil (Hamburg Sea Devils) - Made one tackle from his starting middle linebacker spot and was a standout on special teams, where he made a tackle and also forced and recovered a fumble on punt coverage.
LB Shawn Morgan (Hamburg Sea Devils) - Recorded two tackles and a pass defense as a reserve linebacker and also made a stop on special teams.
G/T Steve Morley (Rhein Fire) - Started at left tackle for Rhein in their defeat at Amsterdam.
P B.J. Sander (Hamburg Sea Devils) - Led the league with a 44.3-yard average on three punts, with none of the kicks being returned and a long boot of 46 yards.
DT Doug Sims (Rhein Fire) - Started at defensive tackle and made one stop.
DE Seante Williams (Frankfurt Galaxy) - Tallied five solo tackles and intercepted a screen pass from his starting defensive end position.
G Joe Hayes (Berlin), WR Kelvin Kight (Amsterdam), S Chonn Lacey (Frankfurt), G Joe Quinn (Rhein), and S Wendell Williams (Cologne) all missed their teams' games over the opening weekend due to injury.
