NFL in London

National Football League in London

nflinlondon

Sweet Week 16

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We’re hitting that time of the Christmas holidays where we start to lose track of days. 

Has Santa come yet? Was I good? Is COVID still a thing? Is it too early to drink? Is it too early to be drunk?
So many questions, and not enough answers.
Luckily, we are headed into a Sweet Week 16 of games.

Week 15 came in like unwanted holiday in-laws, making a big production and staying way longer than anticipated.
‘Get the heck out 15, I’ve got playoffs and Fantasy Pool playoffs on tap.
Stop bothering us with your nonsense.’

That nonsense is once again COVID, which crashed through the NFL party table like a member of the Bills Mafia, and looks ready to make another run at the table.
Go home COVID, you’re drunk!

Week 15 taught us a lot of other things like…

-Tom Brady acts like a little bitch when you shut him out

-Jared Goff can still ball…it just takes 15 weeks to warm up.

-The Packers look to chump out of the NFC race despite leading it

-The Bears still suck

-The Bills are contenders…just not winners.

Luckily, we have some great games on tap for Week 16 in the NFL.
Among some of the more exciting things we are looking forward to for these matches is:

Boxing Day

Boxing Day in Britain is a historic occasion of sport, ever since Kris Kringle knocked out Neville Chamberlain in the 30s’. 

Brits get up early to shake off that Crimbo hangover, and heading down to the pub for an afternoon of sport. 

Luckily this year, the NFL is also rocking loads of Boxing Day games.
If you’re joining us at the Sports Bar & Grill Clapham or Old Street, make sure you book a table now so that you can watch the games on your own screen!

TNF

Thursday Night Football is a tough one for us Brits, as the games don’t kick off until 1:20am, with a slumbering finish of around 4am.
It’s the holidays and you have our COVID pass to stay at home, and watch this great TNF match on week 16. 

The Titans host the fast moving San Francisco 49ers, who have been chunking up wins a plenty over the past few weeks, positioning them to be 3.5 point faves for the game. 

The Derek Henry-less Titans are going that he makes a return, and allows them to continuing to punish other teams with the run, given that their wide receiver corps has been blown out by injuries. 

Christmas Games

The Green Bay Packers host a dilapidated Cleveland Browns team on Christmas Day for a 9:30pm GMT game. 

The Packers opened the line as 8 point favourites, which seems fair given that the Browns were missing most of their defence in a Monday Night loss to the Raiders. 

Aaron Rodgers will be sure to point out his turf toe en route to tossing 4 TDS and taking advantage of another team ripped apart during this season 

Another great Christmas game sees the Colts visiting the Arizona Cardinals, who have a home favourite line of 1.5 points.
Kyler and the boys took a beating at the hands last week of the lowly Dee-Troy-it Lions.
The Lions. 

Indianapolis rolled over the Patriots in Week 15, and it seems likely that Jonathan Taylor will have another big Christmas Day of Ho Ho Ho’ing. 

NFL Boxing Day

Loads of great games on tap for Week 16 Boxing Day games.
Put on your jammie pants, crack some morning beers, or join us in London! 

Some of the key game we are looking at includes: 

Lions vs Cardinals

The Lions are high on pride after an upset win over the top seeded Cardinals in Week 15. They look to take a bite out of Atlanta Falcons who are favoured at home in this contest by 4. 

Is Jared Goff enough? The way his team is playing…yes!

Ravens vs Bengals

The battle of the AFC North reaches its pinnacle on Sunday, as the Bengals host the Ravens in an early afternoon game.
The Ravens enter Week 16 as 2.5-point underdogs with the moneyline currently listed at about +120. Odds from https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/

This will be a massive game with big implications, and both teams will need to play off their heads to grab the division lead. 

A healthy Lamar Jackson can change a game with his feet, and how about the hot slinging JT Huntley?
This game will be epic!

Bills vs Patriots

Belichick will be channeling the dark force, as he hopes to snag a divisional win against the struggling Buffalo Bills. 

Buffalo fans will be nervously watching this one, and sending as much bad karma Boston’s way all day. 

The Patriots opened the line as 2.5 point favourites at home. 

Steelers vs Chiefs

The battle for the AFC isn’t as illustrious as it once was, as Pittsburgh slumps away from the post season with a limp Big Ben. 

Patrick Mahomes isn’t as flash as he was in previous years, but is till hoping he can make some home magic despite losing Travis Kielce in this contest. 

Sports Bar Action

If you’re looking to watch these week 16 games, feel free to join us at the Sports Bar & Grill Old Street and Clapham Junction. 

It will be a busy weekend of sport ahead, so make sure that you book your table, so that you can watch the games on your own TV. 

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/oldstreet/party-booking

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/clapham/party-booking

Stay safe, stay sane, and bless the NFL!

Week 15 Memery

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Week 15 of the NFL came in like a crazy virus, spinning the league right round, turning everyone on their head, and making us all dizzy.

Do they not realise that many of us are on the road to the playoffs and/or preparing our NFL fantasy teams for the onslaught of the post season Covidity?

Thankfully, the pictures and words word perfect for week 15, as we offer up some of the Week 15 Memery that has captivated us all.

What were some of the big meme themes to hit this week?

Tom Brady getting shut out for the first time in his career was CLASSIC! If you have ever wanted to trash a Microsoft touch tablet, Tommy will show you how to do it.

Detroit Lions claim their first win of the season! That means once again the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to take top seed in the draft next year.
Like a leaky boat, the Jags keep flushing down picks and coaches.

Here are some of the big memes! Enjoy and see you Sunday!

Deck the League

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And just like that…COVID is back in the NFL!
Did you miss it?

Still more entertaining than a Sex & the City revival, COVID is the Carrie Bradshaw of the NFL, shredding the careers of fully grown men.

So what does this mean for Week 15 in the NFL?
We will break it all down for you in our Deck the League podcast.

Wade & Ryan are back and virus free, as they offer you a Christmas Party of a podcast.
Don’t worry about missing out on the pub, just crank this up to 11 and see what knowledge drip feeds into your lineups.

COVID Games

Thus far, 3 of the NFL games for Week 13 have been moved due to COVID, but more could come.

Sean Payton is already out for the big game against the Bucs after testing positive, too bad the trailer for his new Netflix movie had no tests of positivity.

We will let you know anything that we hear about the games, and when they might be played.

Among some of the games the guys look at in the episode include:

Patriots (9-4) vs -2 Colts (7-6) +45.5

The Patriots are one of the few teams not to get sidelined by the virus this weekend, as we all know that Bill Belichick plans for the biggest threat against them.
See ya virus.

The Colts are favoured by 2 points, despite having a worse record than New England? What does Las Vegas know that we don’t?

Ryan and Wade both like the Pats to keep moving on here, as they seem to dink and dunk enough to get the job done.

Ryan thinks that the game will be a low scoring one, and Wade thinks it will be a back and forth, tight chess match that could get boring for a late night UK fan.

Ryan-Pats 21 Colts 17
Wade-Pats 27 Colts 24

Panthers (5-8) vs -10.5 Bills (7-6)

Oh how the mighty have fallen, a statement that echoes for both of these teams.

Carolina started strong on the back of Christian Mc, and a solid defence.
Now the Panthers are struggling to stay in games, and Cam Newton is atrocious.

Buffalo has gone from number one on the division, to hoping to make a shot at the playoffs.
They need to win this one to stay in it!

Ryan likes his Bills to blow out the lowly Panthers, and get back to their winning ways at home.

Wade struggles to see the Bills covering such a large spread given injuries, COVID and western New York weather.

Ryan-Bills 35 Panthers 13
Wade-Bills 24 Panthers 14

Seahawks (5-8) vs -5 LA Rams (9-4) +45.5

Russ is cooking once again on the back of a rejuvenated running game, and Tyler Lockett getting his groove back.
The Seahawks are in a deep playoff hole, and the chances of them making a post season run fall deeper every week.

LA Rams finally got a win, batting down the pesky Cardinals in a game that saw them still stay in contention for a solid playoff chance. They also got COVID. A lot of it.

Ryan thinks that Seattle will continue their winning ways, sticking it to Matt Stafford and his bad back of infected team mates.

Wade thinks that even an LA Rams team covered in COVID is still better than a healthy Seattle team.

Ryan-Seahawks 30 Rams 24
Wade-Rams 26 Seahawks 23

Sports Bar Sunday

Join us at the Sports Bar & Grill Old Street and Clapham this Sunday to catch all the NFL games.

Book a table in advance, and you can even watch your own game on your own TV.

Just make a booking and you’re good to go!

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/oldstreet/party-booking

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/clapham/party-booking

Home Marketing

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The NFL announced this week that they have granted marketing rights to 18 teams across 26 territories around the world.

Global NFL fans were left to ask themselves, ‘what the heck does this mean? Am I getting a VHS tape of NFL games?’
Not really, you’re getting Home Marketing!

With this new acronym (IMHA), the NFL is allowing teams to reach out directly to the fans, and fan groups to help promote their team(s), as well as develop more of a global following.

If you are looking for some old VHS tapes of NFL games, now you can ask the teams directly!

What Does it Mean for NFL Fans?

Being an NFL fan around the world, means you don’t get as much ‘love’ as the average NFL fan stateside.

Not only do fans have to watch the games at an ungodly hour, but they must suffer through some of the more popular local sports like soccer…rugby…or The Masked Singer. Uggghh!

With this new Home Marketing plan, now fans and fan groups can directly work with the teams, and their marketing departments to offer a more comprehensive fan experience to those outside the country.

It means that fan groups can grow organically, and leaves less chance of fan groups being bullied by the league, local TV networks and bars for trying to support their favourite team(s).

UK Bound

The UK was one of the territories to be a part of this new program, with 6 NFL teams being selected to dance with the fans.

Although slightly less than Mexico’s 9 teams, the UK has once again been rewarded for having fans that not only truly the game, but also support it, no matter what kind of craziness is going on in the world.

NFL in London is one of the largest NFL promoters in Europe, so we will let you know what we hear, and any important news to NFL UK fans.

The six teams that have been selected to take part in the home marketing initiative in the UK includes:

Chicago Bears

Boasting one of the UK’s biggest Bear fans in our man Wade, this is exciting news for all Chicago fans.

The Chicago Bears are one of the few teams in the UK without an active social scene like some of the other fan clubs.
That could change with the Bears now able to pinpoint English fans, and provide them with plenty of Chicago Bears merchandise that has never been seen across the pond.

Welcome to London Chicago Bears!

Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s no surprise that the Jags were included in this list, given their boots on the ground policy from over a decade ago.

Jacksonville has continued to grow their UK fanbase, even while the home numbers dwindled.

Jags UK fans have suffered through expansion hiccups, the Bortles era, Minshew-Mania, and now Urban Decay…but they still keep coming back.

Shad Khan and the Jags team should be happy to reward such faithful fans over the years.

Minnesota Vikings

Tapping into their Scandi heritage, the Vikings have never shied from their European roots.

Minnesota has a new miracle, as the Vikes are another lucky team to be welcomed into the British fold.

The Vikings are another NFC north team to slip across the pond, and the fans couldn’t be happier!

Minnesota Vikings have a solid UK and European fanbase that truly deserves this honour, and will definitely not let the team down!

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have had a grip on the UK since the Marino and NFL Channel 4 years.

Miami has a surprising amount of fans in England, and might have something to do with the fact that the weather is exactly the opposite to the UK.

Poor Dolphins fans have also had a tough decade in the AFC East, watching TB12 and Billy Boy take title after title, despite a slew of draft picks.

If you needed a second NFL team from Florida, you got one now.

NY Jets

Ever since Jets owner Woody Johnson put the ‘ass; in Ambassador, the New York Jets have circled around the capital.

While Jets fans stateside have been wearing face coverings even before began, English fans have been able to travel in relative anonymity.

This will all change as the New York Jets are another team to grace our shores with their football.

It’s been a rough few years on the Jets, so be nice to them. Who knows you might even be able to make the team?

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisky? Hoo yeah!

Ever since Joe Montana did his thing in the 80s’, the 49ers have been a popular team logo to see on the streets of England.

San Fran and the 49ers are not only hugely popular in the UK, but they are also the most recent of all the teams to go to the Super Bowl!
So there’s that.

Welcome to the United Kingdom San Fran! Mind the gap.

NFL in London

For all those teams that don’t know us, why not reach out.

We love to host parties for all the fans, as well as get communities of fan groups involved in exciting activities.

Here we grow again NFL!

Biden Time

Joe Biden was out and about, and quick to remind NFL fans the need for health safety.

Or else he just hates Aaron Rodgers and wanted to make a fool of him.

Panto Week

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What a week of performances that was in the NFL, as some of the top teams soared, and the crap teams continued to get stuck in the quagmire of mediocrity.
End of the season ‘am I right’?

To recap the silly week that was 14 in the NFL, Wade & Ryan break down all of the past slew of games, plus NFL news in our Panto Week Podcast.

Among some of the other things that the guys discuss in the episode.

COVIDITY

Hey remember COVID? Well, it’s back and better with a whole new upgrade.

The Omicron is here, and it has the unique the ability to distinguish between ‘immunised’ and ‘vaccinated’. And it’s good at it too.

OBJ and the Rams took a slap on the face from the virus this week, as many teams might have their playoff run curtailed by the nasty.

Let’s add even more drama to the NFL playoffs!

Bengals Lancers

What’s up with Joe Burrow and the Bengals?
After a finger issue led to his weekly slide, it looks like Cincy might indeed be in trouble to actually make it to the big show.

Joe Mixon can only carry the team so far, before the D and the rest of the team needs to step up.

The AFC North is in freefall, and the Bengals had it all within their grasp.

Bills Bills

Remember when the Buffalo Bills were the number lock in the AFC?
Now they are ‘in the hunt’ as their playoff chances are about as likely as a balmy Christmas day in Western New York.

Perhaps having a running game is essential to an NFL team?

Ryan Cull is in nail biting mode, as the Bills are in danger of getting stuck against some tough teams moving into the post season.

Get Up Lamar

What are the Ravens without Lamar Jackson?
No, really…what are they?
Because they seem like they are screwed without him.

Injuries Galore sounds like a great band name, as well as the diagnosis for the woes of Baltimore.

A shot at the playoffs is a getting harder and harder every week, especially when they lose to divisional rivals.

Gold Strike

The 49ers are playing some exceptional football thanks to Deebo Samuel and a slew of San Fran running backs.

Now boasting a 7-6 record, the 49ers now face a gauntlet of tough divisional games to round out 2021.

Let’s face it, no one really wants to face San Fran right now…as they are able to throw an ‘L’ into anyone’s season hopes.

Refs

What the hell is with the refs this season? Are they trying to suck? Trying to ruin the game? Or are they just idiots?

There have been some truly shameful calls by refs this year, which seems odd given how technology has gifted us with replays, close ups etc in recent decades.

Maybe the refs know that they are in danger of being replaced by robots, and that they want one last chance to screw it up before they hand it over to their digital overlords?

Either way, they suck…and we’re watching you.

NFL Weekend

It’s a great weekend of NFL ahead, as we welcome games on Saturday night to add a little flava to mid December.

Make sure you join us every weekend at the Sports Bar & Grill, where we will be cooking up all the games you need this weekend.

TNF is the high flying Kansas City Chiefs vs the struggling LA Chargers at home. Another easy win for Mahomes?

Saturday night brings us the Las Vegas Raiders visiting the Cleveland Browns at 9:30pm GMT. A perfect way to avoid the crowds and cuddle up on the couch with someone you loathe.

The late Saturday (early Sunday) contest is a real cracker, as the Colts dome it up to protect themselves against the dangerous Patriots. This game doesn’t kick off until 1:20am, so hit the Sports Bar for a boozy breakfast and watch it then.

See you Sunday at either Clapham or Old Street. Book a table so that you can watch the games on your own TV.

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/oldstreet/party-booking

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/clapham/party-booking