NFL in London

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London 2022 Games

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Smell that in the air?
That’s freedom…a bit of petrol…and the return of the NFL.
It’s coming back to London again soon, and boy are we tickled.

So here are our predictions for the London 2022 Games.

Draft Days

The NFL Draft is now done and dusted, as teams watch the offseason to witness which one of these prospects burns and turns their own future after Las Vegas, making bad lifestyle choices that ultimately leads to leaving the game.

Or…they have a bright and lustrous future, without any incidents.
That’s the hope anyway.

The NFL Draft also heralds the beginning of the international adventure, as the league announces who will be headed across the shores to bring the beautiful game to hungry global audiences.

London gets 3 games, Germany gets one, as does Mexico.

So how does it all play out?

London Schedule

The NFL announced that they will be releasing the full international schedule on May 4th, 2022 (evening).

We will then get to know who will be making a passport application for the first time, so that they come visit us at either Tottenham or Wembley stadium(s) for an autumn jaunt.

Who will it be?
Well, we make our yearly predictions prior to the NFL officially announcing the REAL teams that will be visiting.
It’s a fun little exercise that helps build hope to those of us who haven’t seen our teams hit the UK in years.

And so without further adieu, we present our predictions for the 2022 London International Games.

Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday September 25th-Week 3
Wembley Stadium

Jacksonville is back (again), as they shed their Urban skin, and have returned with fresh faces and feelings as the Trevor Lawrence era has finally sputtered out of the gate.

As for the Jags home opponents this season, they face the following: Colts, Texans, Titans, Broncos, Raiders, Ravens, Cowboys, Giants.

Given that many of these teams have been here in the past few years, the most obvious team to come would be the New York Giants, who haven’t played in London since they beat the Rams in 2016.

The Ravens however last played in London in 2017, where they took a 44-7 blowout to the face.

There are rumblings and rumours out of Poe-town, that the dirty birds would once again be flocking our way.
We’ll jump on this rumour!

Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints

Sunday October 2, 2022-Week 4
Tottenham Stadium

Of all the rumours that have been circling as to who would most likely be playing, this game is the most solid to bet on.

Minnesota and New Orleans are scheduled to play each other this year, and reports out of Minneapolis point to the fact that the team is preparing for an international adventure for the 2022 season.

The miracle moments between these two teams are many, and it seems to be the most likely scenario for both teams.

As per the date, Week 4 has been persistent in both reports from New Orleans and the Vikes, so we will also double down on the intel we are getting stateside.

This will be a great game for fans of both teams, who last appeared on our shores in 2017, beating the Dolphins and Browns respectively.

We’re quite confident in this one.

Tennessee Titans vs Green Bay Packers

Sunday October 9th-Week 5
Tottenham Stadium

The Pack is finally making a trek to London, as British fans finally get a whiff of the mane of Aaron Rodgers and company.

Green Bay is the ONLY team to have NEVER made the trip to London, so this will be a massive game for all the cheeseheads here who have missed out on NFL action in the past.

As for the Packers home opponents, they have the Bears, Lions, Vikings, Cowboys, Giants, Patriots, Jets, Titans, & Rams.

While the LA Rams are rumoured to be another team playing in an international game, they are more likely to play the Arizona Cardinals in the Mexico City contest.

Bill Belichick and the Patriots are also an interesting possibility for Rodgers and the boys to play-since they haven’t been here since 2012, but the Titan in the room keeps popping up its head.

We like Tannehill and Tennessee as they combatant in the Packers contest, making their way to north London for week 5, in an exciting match.

Considerations

There are some other factors that we looked at in determining not only the teams, but the dates of the London games.

Ukraine is most likely still going to be burning in the autumn of 2022, and many Americans are not likely to travel as they believe that anywhere in Europe is a war zone.

London & European visitors dropped by 8% during the Gulf War, and plummeted after the terror attacks here.  As long as Russia keeps acting like dicks, the situation in the area will be tenuous.

The World Cup will also play a factor in the scheduling of NFL games, as the league will want to avoid any clashes with ‘soccer’ for the end of the year.

Kicking off on November 21st in Qatar, the World Cup will overlap much of the NFL schedule, as many major games are happening on NFL Sundays.
Spain faces Germany on Sunday Nov 27th at 7pm GMT-running smack into the NFL for many fans who will be looking to catch the games.

Caveat

Once again, these are only guesses by our team.

We will all know the true teams heading our way when the NFL officially announces it next week.

 

 

 

2022 Schedule

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April is almost dead, so it’s time to bring on the NFL Draft!
Football is slowly creeping back!

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull break down all the latest NFL news in our 2022 Schedule podcast, a compendium of all the top stories, arrests and stupid stuff going on during the off season.

Here’s a link to all the comedy NFL gold!

Among some of the top things that the guys talk about in this episode includes:

London Games

So we know who is coming to London this season (Jaguars, Packers, Saints) we just don’t know when.

Luckily, the US press gets whiffs of nuggets of gold, which is how we were able to figure out that the New Orleans Saints will most likely be hosting the Minnesota Vikings either week 4 or week 5 of the season.

As for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, their most likely opponent seems to be the Tennessee Titans on either side of the week of the Saints contest.
This game would also be played at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, giving London a full fortnight of Sunday games.

The NFL has announced that we will officially know the London games on May 4th at 11pm GMT. (hopefully we will let you know ahead of that.

Germany Game

Get your steins ready, as the NFL heads to Germany for the first time to kick off the 2022 season.

Thanks to some heavy thumbs at the US Consulate in Germany, we can glean that the full details of the game there.

According to reports, the game will feature Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting Patrick Mahomes the Kansas City Chiefs in Munich, on Sunday November 13th.

While this Sunday falls on the German holiday of Repentance Day, it is assumed the folks at home will be okay with that.

An epic game in a country who has deserved this NFL honour for a long time.

Deebo Days

Deebo Samuel looks to be done in San Fran, after a tough year that saw him being used in an even tougher role.

The Niners were happy to slap old Deebo in on any speed-need role, even if it meant that the young man might have a shortened career from all the beatings he was taking.

Another wide receiver looking to get paid, in a league with empty pocketed teams looking for some accounting magic to stuff it all under the cap.

Good luck Deebo! You might just find yourself on the Jets!

Apple Bites

The long awaited rumours about the demise of Direct TV are upon us, as the US rights for the NFL package look to lapse after this season.

Like a Betamax player in a digital world, the satellite dish era demands of Direct TV has finally come of age.

With claims of complaints of being held hostage by the service, expensive billing, poor customer service, and the fact that no one uses dishes anymore, the old girl is just an anachronism in this world.

Apple is looking snap up the NFL package rights for over $2.5 billion, which sadly means that people might have to pay for Apple TV once again.

As much as everyone loves the Morning Show…and uh…what else do they have on their? Seinfeld? Teletubbies? More streaming!

Baked

Baker Mayfield can count this phase of his life as ‘bullying’ as he continues to get shit kicked in the press for his ineptitude.

The young man isn’t happy, wants to go, but no one wants to play with him-and to boot-his alma mater made an ugly statue of him to add insult to injury.

Let’s just let the kid play football again, then we can give him a rough time.

NFL Draft

Wade & Ryan will be releasing our NFL Draft Podcast this week, so make sure that you watch this space.

If you’re looking for a place to watch the 2022 NFL Draft, we are aware that the Empire Casino in Leicester Square will be showing it.

The Draft is due to start at 1am, with coverage starting in the UK from 11pm.

Back to the Kitchen

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Another week in the NFL offseason brings with it a myriad of shame, as we break down some of the lowest lows in this weeks’ podcast, Back to the Kitchen.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull go through all of the NFL malarky, to offer you some nuggets of wisdom, despite their limited intelligence.

It doesn’t stop Adam Shefter.

Here’s the podcast for this week!

Among some of the other things that the guys discuss in this podcast, includes:

Brady Balls

So the rumours keep chunking out that TB12 was due to not only QB the Dolphins, but also be a part owner, until bad boy Bill Belichick pissed all over the parade by tipping off Brian Flores.
If it’s all true, it’s a very Putin-esque way of making sure that Miami doesn’t expand in their division, after all, they’re full of nazis.
Brady might be back in 2023 to try this whole thing again!

Unfollow Deebo

After being used and abused as the ‘go-to’ man for the 49ers last years, speedster Deebo Samuel wants to get paid.
After watching Davante Adams get paid, then Tyreek, then everyone else, Deebo wants to be the next money man, and San Fran better pony up.
Of course, the 49ers like many teams don’t have the cashola to keep up with player egos, so Deebo’s block could remain in place until the team can find ways to ‘restructure.’

Carr’s Crackers

Derek Carr can finally breathe that big breath of freedom, as the Raiders made good on a promise to keep him in Sin City for the foreseeable future.
After signing for $121.5m until 2025, Carr solidifies himself as the longest termed QB of the future, and allowing him to play with all his speedy new toys.
Derek Carr is what Baker Mayfield wishes what he saw in the mirror.

Baker’s Baked

Baker Mayfield has now entered the ‘Whiny’ phase of his career, preferring to bitch and moan instead of doing anything about it.
BM was recently captured saying that he wishes he could ‘boo fans where they work’, to see how they liked it.
The does nothing to help Baker get a starting job this year, although it does give him the proper attitude to become a pundit.

AB BA ABBA!

Poor AB..actually, screw him! And Floyd Mayweather.
Floyd has offered to cover the losses of any team that takes a chance on AB (and offering him $20M) for the 2023 season.
If dude can’t keep it together playing with Tom Brady, do you think he’ll show any sense of class playing with the likes of Kirk Cousins or Carson Wentz?
Save the drama for your many baby mama’s!

Cam Cam Cam

Cam Newton made himself less relevant this week when he unleashed a slew of misogny for no reason whatsoever.
Cam was heard to be dismissive of women, and suggested that they ‘go back to the kitchen’, in a refreshing take for a man under 40.
If those fancy hats were stopping you from getting a job before Mr. Newton, your gendered social media performance will certainly help you out with that.

USFL

It’s back! If you have been missing the feels of football, you’re in luck this weekend, as the USFL returns to our televisions.
If you weren’t aware, the USFL existed in the 1980s’, but fell into ruin thanks to the efforts of a certain Donald Trump (plus way more reasons!).
Here’s something to jog your memory.

Anywho, the USFL is back this weekend, and will offer NFL fans a chance to catch on more football! Hooray!

The first game will see New Jersey face Birmingham at 12:30am GMT Sunday.

Sunday will see some more UK friendly viewing times, as Houston takes on Michigan at 5pm, Philly vs New Orleans at 9pm, and Tamps vs Pittsburgh on 1am Monday morning.

According the USFL website, the games will be available in the UK via ESPN International…so you probably won’t be able to watch them.

Dwayne Haskins

The NFL world was shocked this week to lose NFL player Dwayne Haskins in a roadside accident.

He was a young, black man who had enormous pressure thrust upon him as a starting QB, and his struggles were something we all could see on a weekly basis.

Hugs and love to his family and friends who have to deal with such a senseless tragedy.

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

 

Shower of Memes

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April showers bring May flowers as the old expression goes, but it seems that the shower of NFL activity is what is really blooming this offseason.

What the heck is going on in the league?
Is Baker gone?
What about AB?
Is my fantasy team ready to play?

All of these silly questions and more can be answered in our April Shower of Memes.

Memery

Memes are just bloody awesome.

Not only do they surmise the whole situation with a picture and a few words, any loser int heir basement can make them!

Brilliant!

We’ve selected a group of some of the latest ‘feels’ going around the league like Covid-herpes, which will be only a matter of time before those bad boys team up!

Enjoy the memes!

 

Dwayne Haskins

Terrible news about Dwayne Haskins, and a big thanks to Adam Schefter for piling on the pain.

The mental health struggles of these young men should serve as a sign to the league that it needs to do more to address these issues.

Thoughts and hugs to his family, friends and loved ones.

 

Ontario Best Bets

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Congrats sports betting fans in Ontario, Canada!
Your province has finally welcomed you into the world of legal sports betting!

So what does that mean for our NFL fans in Ontar-e-air-e-air-e-oh?
Some great betting opportunities, which we will break down as we look at some of the companies setting up shop in our Ontario Best Bets.

Ontario Boys

Our own Wade and Ryan hail from the province of Ontario, Canada, so they know the pains and perils of having to use the antiquated ‘Pro Line’ parlay.
They have also lived in England long enough to know what makes a good betting company.

Pro Line was great in the early days, especially when they didn’t realise they didn’t keep on top of their Premier League product, and punters were able to bet on soccer games that already happened.

Canada has been WAY behind the world when it comes to the world of betting, so bettors are in for a quick, and steep learning curve.

What it Is

Ontario’s can now bet online on sports and casino games from April 4, 2022.

This was a pretty grey and dodgy market, as numerous casino providers have found ways to target Canadians with free to play slots and other late night shenanigans.

Sportsbooks must register with the provinces iGaming Market must first register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, and since Canada loves ‘rules’, the arduous process has weeded out some of the less enthusiastic providers.

Bettors can be registered anywhere in the world, but they need to be in Ontario to make the bets.

Major sports are fair game to bet on, but amateur sports (CHL) and virtual sports are off limit.
Horseracing is run the federal mafia…government, so those betting companies looking to lock up the ponies will need to tweak their products.

Foreign Influence

As you can well imagine, all of these betting companies are foreign (The Score has Canadian roots), and have very little experience with Canadian betting habits.

What we have seen from the rapid expansion of America, is that many European betting companies run roughshod into the market, without even knowing the nuances of what audiences are looking for.

Odds that are formatted in European standards, failing to comprehend nuances in sport selection, and a general arrogance of ‘we know what you want to bet on’ attitude has actually frightened as many people as it ha enticed.

Canada (and Ontario) are massive territories and markets with incredibly diversity.
Hopefully these companies don’t attempt to shoebox bettors into limited options like they have south of the border.

Best Bets

So which of these betting companies is going to offer you not only the best selection, but also the best learning curve to getting your bet on?

There are two that we would recommend given previous experience, but of course we are UK based now, and haven’t used these Ontario products (yet).

We do have decades of betting experience, and have worked with many of these companies, so we will tap into that.

One thing to note is the variety of new players to the market (or those who renamed themselves).

Just because it has a fancy new name, doesn’t mean that you should trust them with your money.

So the two betting sites that we as Ontarian’s with sports betting experience would suggest?

1. The Score

Ontarians will be familiar with The Score, a mainstay of sports TV in the early 2000s.

After being tucked into the belt of Rogers Media, then Penn National Gaming, The Score has positioned itself as one of the emerging sources of Canadian sports media.

The Score app constantly wins rave reviews for its comprehensive lineup of sports content, and has been a driving force into tapping into emerging platforms.

Canadians LOVE a consistent Canadian brand that provides them with that they need (Tim Horton’s, Swiss Chalet, PornHub) & The Score offers the best betting options that we have seen for the Canadian betting market.

A good betting option, despite their cringe-worthy commercials.

https://www.thescore.bet/

2. DraftKings

After years of spending fast cash on countless commercials, Draftkings has solidified itself in the eyes and minds of Ontario bettors.

Despite starting our as a DFS only option, Draftkings has matured its offerings by pivoting to the demand for traditional sports betting options.

Draftkings has had a presence in Canada for the past 7 years, so they stand to transition to this whole new provincial positioning.

DK was late to the party in Ontario in terms of license application, but it’s safe to say that DraftKings will be able to get in the game in 2022.

Hit up Draftkings here.

https://www.draftkings.com

Notable Mentions

European bookmakers Bet365, 888, & Unibet all make the splash across the pond in April, as they attempt to do what Marks & Spencer failed to do, sustain a British invasion.
All three of these providers are noticeably tone deaf to North American sports, with Bet365 offering a shambolic NFL product that’s so bad, it’s deletable.

Poinstbet, the thunder from down under is another new player to the North American betting scene.
Despite not having much experience in global sports betting, Pointsbet has decided to splash the cash, tossing toonies at the likes of Curling Canada and the Trailer Park Boys.
It’s like they Googled ‘What do Canadians Like?’ without actually talking to Canadians.
Canadians are happy to take free money, but we don’t appreciate being fed the same diet as Americans.
A cautionary tale for other big brands who have tried to roll onto the tundra with deep pockets, only to realise Canadians don’t think this way, in fact-it turns them off.

Yankee Doodle Dandies like BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook have been on a mission to conquer the world!
Sadly they should first conquer their products, which pale as cheap imitations compared to some of the more established players.
Just like Vegas, these products are new, cheap, and filled with smoke.

Who the what now? Other new brands like Coolbet, Casimba, Fitzdares and Rivalry are also new to the province, but will mostly be targeting the elderly with their casino products.
Time will tell if they last or go the way of Nando’s.

Smart Bets

If you’re new to sports betting, take it slow.

There’s no need to rush into the sports betting game if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

And never spend more than you can afford! Keep it less than your weekly coffee spend if you just want to have some fun.

Keep watching this space. We will update on the progress of Ontario and Canada betting as we know more.

Any remember, it’s yours to discover.