NFL in London

National Football League in London

2023 NFL draft

London Games 2023

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Alright NFL fans, the Draft is done, the season schedule is about to be released on May 11th, and we are due to know who is playing in the London Games 2023 on May 4th.

Prior to that date of course, we like to make our own predictions on who is going to play in London, and when.
It’s an annual fun tradition for us, and in no way is meant to confuse, or claim that these are the real games.
Although we have benefited from some great press from US media personalities reporting our news as gospel. (which it ain’t!)

Much like the Pro Bowl, this is just for fun, not to be taken too seriously, and forged under the influence of alcohol.
Funny enough we have gotten a few right in the past, let’s see how we do this year.

Methodology

No, we didn’t smoke ‘meth’ to come up with these, but we did look at schedule, past London appearances, recent team changes, and potential strength of travel schedule to determine who we think will be making it to the UK in the fall.

The London games have been moving steadily towards a two-chunk set at Tottenham early in the month, and a late October Wembley game in between the time changes.
This time change is a big part of the UK games, as it represents a 4 hour time difference between the east coast, and more appetising for networks schedulers.

We also asked ChatGPT but it got all weird and porny, so we just went back to our old faithful methods.

Again, no real science behind it.

If you want to listen to our DraftOver podcast, and our NFL London picks, listen here:

London Games 2023?

Raiders vs Bills-Oct 8, 2023

First up at Tottenham stadium this year will be the Buffalo Bills hosting the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct 8, 2023 at 2:30pm. There are no tickets, because this is a guess.

The Bills are set to host the following teams in 2023, with their previous London visits in brackets:
Broncos (’22), Jaguars (’22), Giants (’22), Cowboys (’14), Bucs (’22*), Raiders (’19), Jets, Dolphins, Patriots.

Given the toughness and ticket sales of the AFC East this season, it is very unlikely that NFL would schedule a divisional game abroad in 2023.
Each one of these games is going to be very important, and not one they want to lose out on big rivalry matches.

Given that the Broncos & Bucs were in Europe recently, that leaves the Jags, Raiders and Cowboys as top targets. The league could surprise us by having the Jags play twice in London this year, but it feels like a bit of an odd bunching.

With Jerry Jones and America’s team commanding such presence, it would seem unlikely that they would travel from Texas to London as visitors. Jones has a lot of pull with the league, and he would probably poo-poo this quickly.

It would seem likely then, that the struggling Las Vegas Raiders would be the most likely candidate to play the Buffalo Bills in October 2023.

Panthers vs Titans-Oct 15, 2023

We know that the Titans are in a building year (again), so while this might not be a HUGE loss to Tennessee home fans, they will want to see a good game out of it.

The Titans have the following Home opponents for 2023:
Chargers (’18); Seahawks (’18); Bengals (’19); Ravens (’17); Panthers (’19); Falcons (’21); as well as the Texans, Colts and Jags.

Again, while a divisional game sounds appetising, and their division truly sucks, it would seem unlikely that owners would offer that up, as the Jags played the Texans in 2019 in a craptastic result.

The Bengals, Falcons and Seahawks will be looking to tap into their heat, and would probably push back to a Europe trip after having been here only a few short years ago.

Carolina has been making massive changes to the team, which always doesn’t translate that well into fan support, which is why we think that they will be the ones making the trek to London town in 2023.

Ravens vs Jaguars-Oct 29, 2023

The Jags ended the 2022 season quite respectably after stagnating under Urban decay. With Dougie P leading the way, and Lawrence finding his form, Jacksonville might not be a chore to trek to Wembley to.

Jacksonville has some tough teams on tap in 2023 with: Chiefs (22*); Bengals (19), 49ers, Falcons, Panthers, and their division tripe as well.

The one team that does stick out here are the Baltimore Ravens, who haven’t been to the UK since 2017.
With Lamar firmly in control, and the team now ready to rock to the playoffs, it seems tempting to think that the Ravens will be facing the Jags in north London under a harvest moon.

That’s it for our predictions for the London Games 2023.
Who do you think will be coming to the UK?
Let’s see how we do!

 

 

 

Top 10 NFL Drafts of the Past 30 Years

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With the NFL draft looming on the horizon, it’s time to look at some of the best NFL Drafts from the past thirty years.
The Draft is an exciting time for football fans as they eagerly await to see which players their favourite teams will select. Over the past 3 decades, there have been some remarkable drafts that have produced many stars and legends of the game.
Here we will take a look at the top 10 NFL drafts of the past 30 years, as this one isn’t going to crack any ‘top lists.’

  1. 1996 NFL Draft

    This draft produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The top three picks in this draft were all future Hall of Famers: Keyshawn Johnson, Kevin Hardy, and Jonathan Ogden. Other notable players in this draft include Ray Lewis, Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Zach Thomas. The 1996 Draft had some of the top players across every position. Those were the days.

  2. 2011 NFL Draft

    The 2011 draft was one of the deepest in NFL history, producing many future stars who are still playing today. Cam Newton was the first overall pick, and he went on to win the NFL MVP award in 2015. Other notable players in this draft include Von Miller, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, and Colin Kaepernick.

  3. 1989 NFL Draft

    The 1989 draft produced three players who would go on to win the NFL MVP award: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, and Deion Sanders. Other notable players in this draft include Derrick Thomas, Steve Atwater, and Mark Carrier. Check out some of the pictures of the 1989 Draft, and the fashion choices alone should let you know that it was totally different era.

  4. 1991 NFL Draft

    The 1991 draft produced many future Hall of Famers, including Brett Favre, Aeneas Williams, and Herman Moore. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Watters, Ted Washington, and Mike Croel. Hard to believe that this draft was over 32 years ago.

  5. 2012 NFL Draft

    The 2012 draft produced many top QB stars of the future, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson. Other notable players in this draft include Luke Kuechly, Fletcher Cox, and Bobby Wagner. Despite being 10 years ago, there are still a few players from this draft playing in the league.

  6. 1998 NFL Draft

    The 1998 draft produced two future Hall of Famers in Peyton Manning and Randy Moss. Other notable players in this draft include Charles Woodson, Fred Taylor, and Hines Ward. This was more of the ‘grit-iron’ generation of tough as nails players.

  7. 2017 NFL Draft

    The 2017 draft produced many impact players, including the first overall pick, Myles Garrett. Other notable players in this draft include Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara. This Draft is also known as the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda,’, as many pundits and fans lament of what could have been had players signed elsewhere.

  8. 2001 NFL Draft

    The 2001 draft produced many Pro Bowl players, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Hutchinson, and Richard Seymour. Other notable players in this draft include Michael Vick, Drew Brees, and Reggie Wayne. This could have been known as the HOF class, as many of the players in this group were record-setters.

  9. 2004 NFL Draft

    The 2004 draft produced three future Hall of Famers in Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger. Other notable players in this draft include Larry Fitzgerald, Vince Wilfork, and Jared Allen. 2004 brought us a whack load of great QBs, which beckons when another draft like this could happen?

  10. 1999 NFL Draft

    The 1999 draft produced five future Hall of Famers, including Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, and Torry Holt. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Williams, Donovan McNabb, and Jevon Kearse.

The NFL draft is a significant event in the April calendar of football, and it has produced many great players over the years. The drafts listed above were some of the best of the past 30 years, producing numerous stars and legends of the game. As football fans, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for the NFL draft and the next generation of players who will make their mark on the league.

Who will be the star of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft?

 

London Top 10 Spring

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Spring is one of the most wonderful seasons in London. The temperature is perfect, the flowers are blooming, and the city is buzzing with events and activities. If you’re planning a trip to London this spring, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll be sharing the top 10 things to do in London this spring.

  1. Visit the Chelsea Flower Show

    One of the most popular events in London during spring is the Chelsea Flower Show. This is a must-visit for anyone who loves flowers, gardening, or just wants to experience the beauty of nature. The show takes place in late May and is a feast for the eyes. You’ll see all sorts of amazing floral displays, including exotic plants and rare flowers.

  2. Take a stroll in Hyde Park

    Hyde Park is a vast green space in central London that’s perfect for a springtime stroll. It’s one of the city’s most iconic parks, and it’s easy to see why. You can take a leisurely walk around the Serpentine lake, have a picnic on the grass, or explore the many walking paths and gardens.

  3. Enjoy a boat ride on the Thames

    A boat ride on the Thames is a great way to see London from a different perspective. There are many options to choose from, including sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, and even kayaking. You’ll get to see some of London’s most famous landmarks from the water, including the Tower of London, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament.

  4. Visit Kew Gardens

    Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. It’s home to over 50,000 plants, including rare and exotic species. In springtime, the gardens come to life with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. You can spend hours exploring the different gardens and greenhouses, including the Palm House and the Waterlily House.

  5. Take a bike tour of the city

    Spring is the perfect time to explore the city on two wheels. There are many bike tours available in London, which will take you to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. You’ll get to see the city in a different way and cover more ground than you would on foot.

  6. Explore the South Bank

    The South Bank is a vibrant area of London that’s always buzzing with activity. You can take a walk along the river, browse the street performers and artists, or visit the many cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s also home to the famous London Eye, which offers stunning views of the city.

  7. Visit the Tate Modern

    The Tate Modern is one of London’s most famous art museums. It’s located in a converted power station and is home to some of the world’s most famous contemporary art pieces. In springtime, the museum often hosts special exhibitions and events, so be sure to check their website before you go.

  8. See a show in the West End

    London’s West End is famous for its world-class theater productions. From classic musicals to cutting-edge dramas, there’s always something new to see. In springtime, you can often find discounted tickets and special offers, so be sure to check online before you go.

  9. Go shopping in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of London’s most popular shopping destinations. It’s home to many high-end boutiques, vintage shops, and street performers. You can spend hours browsing the shops and stalls, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a bite to eat.

10. Take a day trip to the countryside

If you want to escape the city for a day, there are many beautiful countryside destinations within easy reach of London. You can take a train or bus to the Cotswolds and see where the posh half live. 

There are loads of fun things to do in London this spring, as we all wait for the NFL to start. 

Sloppy Seconds

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Most of the top tier talented has been shuffled off to other teams, as we look who is left to go where in our Sloppy Seconds podcast.

If you get offended with the title, take it up with Ryan.

In this episode, the boys look at some of the ‘other’ NFL moves across the league, as we all await the news of where Rodgers, Lamar and TB12 could end up. Wait, him again?

To listen to the whole thing, make sure you click here.

Among some of the other things that the guys discuss in this edition.

Own Up

The owners are having their annual billionaires meeting, and with Epstein island a little too ‘hot’ these days for attention, the lads have opted for a Butlin’s in Wales this year.

Among some of the major things that the owners will be discussing this year are new rules, how to make more money, how not to lose money, and what to do with Dan Snyder.
Dan the man has indicated that he will be selling the team soon, just not to Bezos, Beyonce, or Bono.
He’s got a real ‘B’ obsession that man.

One rule that looks like it will survive is the ‘push rule’, which allows players to leverage a rugby-style effort to move the ball ahead.
Given how strikingly similar it is to the process of trying to get Raiders owner Mark Davis into an elevator after a late night, no one seems to have a problem with it.

Hopkins

DeAndre Hopkins is a hot commodity this off season for the right team that can afford him.
Often injured, sometimes fined, and coming in at a price tag of $30-34 million, teams are going to have dig deep into their pockets to be able to afford the ageing receiver.

Is he the guy that is going to get you to the SuperBowl, or is his salary just so dang high that he could cripple the rest of the team in mediocrity?

Buffalo Bills are top faves to pip Hopkins this season, giving Josh Allen another option to try to force balls to in 3rd and long situations.

Who’s got the cash to splash on this big player?

Panther Sale

After liquidating their franchise of players over the past 18 months, the Panthers are starting to build up some options for whatever rookie QB they decide to pursue in the draft.

Former Vikings WR Adam ‘Stealin’ Thielen was a handy slot option for Minnesota, so it will be interesting to see how they use the ageing receiver.
Also added to the mix is former Jag/ Lion DJ Chark, who will add some lowly fantasy points to whomever snags him in a 14 player fantasy league.

Carolina played last season like they had ‘nothing to lose’, let’s see how that transcends to 2023.

Oh Rodgers

For a guy who said he was going to make this quick, Aaron Rodgers sure seems to be in limbo.

Word is that the Jets and Packers are just down to the numbers now, as Green Bay will be looking to fleece New York for whatever they can, while the Jets also have to contend with a massive chunk of cash to pay him.

Maybe he can get his buddy Jake Paul to buy an NFL team call it the Ayahuasca’s and they can trip across the states together beating teams way weaker than them?

Everyone in the league is just waiting for this to get down and dusted so we can see how bad the Jets will actually be after making so many sacrifices.
Still got to make it out of that tough division.

London Games

We are getting closer to the announcement of who will be playing in London in 2023 to face the Bills, Titans, and Jaguars.
We have our own thoughts, and will be sharing it with you guys over the next few weeks.

 

Spring Steps

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Well it certainly feels like the NFL is going to be very interesting with the amount of action we have seen the past few weeks in the league, as we take a look at some of the Spring Steps.

Some of the biggest names are on the move, while some even top tier names still have nothing going on with them. What’s the deal with that?

We’ll take a look at some of the moving and shaking going on in the league thus far, as we check in on some of the teams and see what the heck they are doing?

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons NEED a QB for 2023, it all depends where they are going to get him from.

With most of the major talent gone, it seems that the best hope for a new passer this season is in the Draft. C’mon, can you really build a squad around Desmon Ridder after the Mariota season last year?

Who and how they end up with should have big impact on some of the players that they have already started to build around.

ATL traded for TE Jonnu Smith from the Patriots, as well as snagging Taylor Heinicke from the Commanders, but it was their splash for cash on former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III that brought the most head scratches.
Sure, the Falcons D sucks, but do you really need to make Bates the 4th highest paid safety in the league?

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have made no secret that this is going to be a ‘rebuilding year’ after having liquidated their assets over the past few seasons.

Trading off McCaffery last year, then the trade up with the Bears shows that Carolina is looking for a fresh restart to build the team around a new, young stud.

Carolina has made some pretty major acquisitions in this offseason, taking Miles Sanders from the Eagles, picking up Adam Thielen from the Vikings, Hayden Hurst and the solid ginger-ninja in Andy Dalton to back up whatever pretty boy they bring in.

The Panthers defence wasn’t horrible last year, so the additions of players like DeShawn Williams, Shy Tuttle, Justin McCray and Vonn Bell should help them from leaking points in 2023.

Chicago Bears

The Bears shuffled off their number one pick to the Panthers, allowing them to put the focus mainly on giving Justin Fields the tools that he needs to develop into a fully grown Bear.

Chicago blew some of its wad on former Bill Tremaine Edmunds, which is quite odd considering they could have just tossed that cash at All Pro Roquan Smith.

They did make a great move to snag the handsy DJ Moore from the Panthers, RB Travis Homer from the Seahawks, former Packer Robert Tonyan, RB D’onta Foreman and back up QB PJ Walker.
It’s like the Bears kind of cleaned out the closets of Carolina to find the simple things that ‘bring them joy.’

With the NFC North in flux, it could be more than a rebuild year for the Bears.

Denver Broncos

Splashing cash to protect the ass of Russell Wilson has been the driving force for the Broncos, who bolstered their D this week with some pretty key additions.

Former 49er Mike McGlinchey helps Denver out at tackle, although at a hefty 5 years for $87.5 million.
Adding to him is guard Ben Powers ($52 million), as well as another $45.8m for former Cardinal DE Zach Allen.

Offensively the Broncos also grabbed former Bengal Samaje Perine to help their running game, as well as slinger Jason Stidham to help in the back up role when Wilson inevitably ends up injured midseason.

It’s high hopes for the Broncos in 2023, in a division that will offer very little hope.

Lamar

How ya feeling Lamar? Feeling the love yet? Didn’t think so.

This drama is going to go down to the wire, and will probably end up with Jackson signing with the Patriots anyhow, just to make the AFC East a cluster-bang of teams for 2023.

Aaron

Can we just buy the guy a groundhog? Then it can tell us what it’s thinking, and whether or not we need to bother listening to it, or we can just go back to bed?