Sam Sutton
Sunday morning. Playoff football. The air was crisp, the stakes were sky-high, and the Deal Football League delivered another unforgettable chapter in what’s shaping up to be its most electric season yet.
We’ve officially reached the Final Four. The field has been cut in half, and what’s left standing are four powerhouses, four locker rooms filled with belief, and four captains who can practically taste the champagne.
But to get here, it took guts, grit, and a whole lot of game.
Bengals Stay Hot, Dolphins Go Home
The first playoff showdown of the morning pitted the Miami Dolphins against the Cincinnati Bengals, a rematch of the now-legendary Miami Massacre. The storyline was clear: could Miami erase the memory of that beatdown and get redemption, or would Cincinnati prove that their late-season surge was no fluke?
Spoiler: The Bengals were for real.
Led by Shimi Cohen, who’s been in absolute command the last three weeks, Cincinnati came out with composure and confidence. Cohen’s offensive play-calling was crisp, methodical, and relentless. The Bengals played smart football, executing a balanced attack that kept Miami guessing all morning.
And then there was Moshe Shuk, back in the lineup and making his presence known. His intensity on both sides of the ball shifted the tone from the very first drive. Every big play seemed to have his fingerprints on it, and every drive felt like a statement.
By the time the final whistle blew, the Bengals had not only punched their ticket to the championship, but had also extended their win streak to three straight. A few weeks ago, this team was hanging by a thread. Now? They’re one win away from the biggest stage in the DFL.
Their opponent? The undefeated Baltimore Ravens – a team that’s looked untouchable all season long. Last time these two squads met, the Ravens took care of business. But this time, they’ll face a Bengals team that’s found its rhythm and identity. One team’s chasing perfection; the other’s chasing revenge. Buckle up this one’s going to be a war.
Demons Dominate, Vikings Silenced
The second game of the morning saw the Deacon Demons face off against the Minnesota Vikings, a team that snuck into the playoffs at the last possible moment after a late-season surge.
But if they thought momentum would carry them into the semifinals, the Demons had other plans.
From the opening possession, the Demons were dialed in. Their offense clicked. Their defense suffocated. Their energy was unmatched. It was mass destruction from jump.
Quarterback Zacky Cytryn put on a clinic, a dual-threat performance that defined leadership. He orchestrated the offense with poise and precision while also turning heads on defense, locking down the corners and picking off two passes that crushed any hopes of a Viking comeback.
When the dust settled, the scoreboard told the story: Demons 27, Vikings 0. A statement win in every sense.
Now, the Demons advance to face the Detroit Lions, a team riding their own wave of momentum with five consecutive wins and the advantage of a first-round bye. The Lions already beat the Demons once this season but this rematch feels different. This time, it’s personal.
The Final Four: The Stage Is Set
And just like that, we’re down to four: Ravens (undefeated), Bengals (three straight wins), Lions (five straight wins), and the Demons (dominant and dangerous).
No pretenders. No flukes. Just four heavyweights left standing – each one capable of hoisting the trophy.
As we head into the semifinals, one thing’s clear: the DFL has never been more alive. The energy, the talent, the storylines – everything is peaking at the perfect time. Four teams remain. Two will move on. One will rise above them all.
Welcome to the jungle. The road to the DFL Championship runs through it.