PFA WEEK 4 PREVIEW: TITLE CONTENDERS, STATEMENT GAMES & MIDSEASON MILESTONES
As we step into Week 4 of the 2025 Pro Football Association (PFA) season, the action is heating up and playoff implications are already starting to take shape. For 2A teams, this week marks the official halfway point of the regular season, and 3A squads aren’t far behind. With key matchups, rising stars, and early shakeups in the standings, let’s break down what’s in store.
BYE WEEKS & FORFEITS SHAKE UP THE STANDINGS
In 3A action, the Indy Bison find themselves on the favorable side of a scheduling oddity. They’ll be credited with a 21-0 forfeit win due to a lingering gap left by a now-defunct team. While they’d likely prefer to play, the unexpected break offers a chance to recover and reset heading into Week 5.
Over in 2A, the situation in North Ohio continues to spiral. The Warlocks have now taken another forfeit loss—this time to the Capital City Bandits—raising serious questions about the team’s stability. If they don’t suit up soon, fans may be witnessing the beginning of the end.
GAME OF THE WEEK: DETROIT RAVENS (3-0) VS. CUYAHOGA FALLS RAPIDS (PAFL)
Location: InfoCision Stadium, Akron, OH
This highly anticipated clash headlines Week 4, pitting the red-hot Detroit Ravens against the Rapids in a showcase at Akron University’s premier facility. Fresh off a 51-6 demolition of the Arctic County Bengals, the Ravens are firing on all cylinders.
Quarterback Torrence Webster (293 yds, 5 TDs) and wideout Almount Smith (4 catches, 57 yds, TD) continue to lead an explosive offense, while the defense, led by Delvon Wells and Jose Morris (3 INTs), is just as deadly.
Although this game serves as a preseason tune-up for the PAFL’s Rapids, don’t expect Detroit to take it easy. Expect early competitiveness from Cuyahoga Falls, but the Ravens’ firepower will be too much to contain. Prediction: Ravens roll.
DOUBLEHEADER SPOTLIGHT: MONROE, MI
GAME 1: FLAG CITY PHANTOMS (2-3) VS. GLASS CITY TIGERS (PAFL)
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
The battle for I-75 takes center stage as the struggling Phantoms look to snap a three-game skid. Injuries have taken a toll, especially along the offensive line, leaving the quarterback scrambling behind patchwork protection. The defense remains solid, but points have been hard to come by.
The Phantoms face cross-town foes in the Glass City Tigers, and with playoff hopes slipping, this is a must-win. Expect gritty football in this rivalry matchup, but look for Flag City to dig deep and squeak out a win.
Prediction: Phantoms 24, Tigers 16
GAME 2: MOTOR CITY RAMS (3-0) VS. MICHIGAN BILLS (1-2)
This rematch of last year’s semifinal has been circled on calendars since schedules dropped. The undefeated Rams bring their bruising defense and a slowly resurging offense led by returning QB Future Thomas, who threw 2 TDs in his first game back last week.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Bills are reeling after a crushing overtime loss in Week 3. Player turnover has made consistency tough to find. With playoff seeding already looming large, the Bills desperately need to stop the bleeding—but it won’t be easy against this Rams unit.
Prediction: Bills bounce back in a close one, 21-16
UPSET ALERT: RACINE RAIDERS (3-0) VS. ILLINOIS COWBOYS (MWUF)
The Raiders remain unbeaten, but last week’s 16-point performance against Flag City raised some eyebrows. Is this just a sluggish start or something deeper? They’ll face a major test against the surging Illinois Cowboys, who’ve looked sharp all season.
Racine boasts a 29-game winning streak, but the Cowboys are built to break it. If Racine doesn’t find its offensive rhythm, this could be the game where the streak ends.
Prediction: Cowboys pull the upset, 24-20
2A SHOWDOWN: LIMA WARRIORS (1-2) VS. CINCINNATI HAWKS (2-1)
The Lima Warriors have quietly become a team to watch. With QB Da’Mon Yates showing promise and Coach Jones instilling a new culture, Lima is no longer a pushover. They dominated the Hurricanes last week and have momentum.
But this week’s opponent, the Cincinnati Hawks, are arguably the favorites to take the 2A crown. Despite a surprising loss to Indy last week, they’re still stacked on both sides of the ball and looking to reassert dominance.
Lima has fight, but Cincinnati has firepower.
Prediction: Hawks 24, Warriors 6
Final Word: Week 4 is more than just another slate of games—it’s a separator. Playoff pictures will start to emerge, struggling squads will have to dig deep, and contenders must prove they belong. Buckle up. The PFA season is just getting started.