Raiders win thriller - Ravens dominate early
Felix Pahl
© Ricardo OliveiraSunday’s later games in Week 5 brought very different stories: one was a dramatic, high-scoring battle decided in the final moments, the other a one-sided performance where the game was all but over by halftime.
Madrid Bravos @ Raiders Tirol - 34:35
The Raiders Tirol claimed a dramatic win over the Madrid Bravos in one of the closest games of the season. Both teams went back and forth in a high-paced offensive shootout that came down to a final two-point conversion.
Balanced attack leads Raiders to victory
The Raiders were able to show their strength on the ground once again, scoring three rushing touchdowns. But this time, their passing game also stepped up. QB N’Kosi Perry threw two touchdown passes and made some key plays under pressure.
Watch the Bravos at Raiders highlights here!
Bravos’ stars shine again
On the other side, Madrid’s dynamic duo of Reid Sinnett and Aron Cruickshank was once again unstoppable. Sinnett threw for over 280 yards and five touchdowns, while Cruickshank caught 11 passes for 146 yards and three scores.
Late comeback falls just short
Despite trailing by 14 in the third quarter, the Bravos rallied and had a chance to tie the game late. After scoring a touchdown to make it 35–34, they opted for a two-point conversion to win the game — but the Raiders defense held strong and denied the attempt.
What’s next
Madrid now heads into a Week 6 bye at 3–2 and will prepare for their next matchup against the Hamburg Sea Devils in Week 7. The Raiders also sit at 3–2 and will travel to face the Helvetic Mercenaries in Week 6.
Helvetic Mercenaries @ Munich Ravens - 14:63
The Munich Ravens wasted no time taking control of their game against the Helvetic Mercenaries. The Swiss team had a nightmare start, turning the ball over on their first four drives — three of them lost fumbles. The Ravens took full advantage, scoring touchdowns on nearly every possession and jumping out to a 49–0 lead by halftime.
Tabor Shines in Limited Action
Quarterback Russell Tabor made the most of his short time on the field. In under two quarters, he threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns. With the game in hand, backups entered the game early in the second quarter.
Watch the Mercenaries at Ravens highlights here!
Defense creates chaos
The Ravens defense was just as dominant. The defensive line created constant pressure on Mercenaries QB Isaiah Weed, recording three sacks and forcing four fumbles. RAN MVP Hiswill Awuah highlighted the improvement from their Week 4 loss to Stuttgart: “Last week against Stuttgart things didn’t go our way. We went back to the lab, fixed our mistakes — and it showed today.”
Mercenaries show late fight
The Mercenaries showed a bit more life in the second half and managed to score two touchdowns, but still struggled with turnovers and punts.
What’s next
Looking ahead, Helvetic will face the Raiders Tirol in Week 6 and look to bounce back at home. The Munich Ravens, now 3–2, will meet the Berlin Thunder in a rematch of their Week 3 win.