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bears london

Bears London

September 17, 2024 by nflinlondon

As the Chicago Bears make their way across the pond for another thrilling October NFL showdown in London, there’s no better time to explore all the “bear-y” fun that the capital of the UK has to offer. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Chicago Bears or just tagging along for the ride, London has plenty of bear-related sights and stories to entertain you before and after the big game. From historical bears to famous bear-related landmarks, here’s everything Chicago Bears fans need to know about the ‘other’ bears of London.

Fun Fact-Just because someone is wearing a Chicago Bears jersey, doesn’t mean that they know anything about the Bears. All you have to is say ‘Bear Down’ to them, and watch for the look on their face. 

Queen’s Bearskins

When in London, it’s hard to miss the stoic Queen’s Guard soldiers standing tall at Buckingham Palace. Whatever you do, don’t get up in their grill, or this could happen.

What might catch your eye more than their unflinching demeanor, though, are those giant fuzzy hats perched on their heads. Yes, those iconic headpieces are made of real Canadian bearskin! No Canadians were hurt in the process, although the bears were. 

The bearskin hat is a towering 18 inches tall and weighs about 1.5 pounds, and it’s as much a symbol of London as Big Ben or Tower Bridge. These towering hats were originally designed to make the guards look more imposing, and they date back to 1815 when British soldiers wore them to celebrate their victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

Of course, today’s hats are made with ethically sourced bearskin, and alternatives have been explored. But for now, these regal hats remain a reminder that bears are part of London’s royal heritage, and you can catch a glimpse of these bear-inspired accessories during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Paddington Bear

It wouldn’t be a trip to London without mentioning one of the most beloved bears in British pop culture – Paddington Bear. Created by Michael Bond in 1958, this little bear from Peru found his way to London with nothing but a suitcase and his trusty marmalade sandwiches.

True bear fans will know that Paddington in Peru movie comes out in November, so this autumn truly is the place to be a bear in the capital. 

If you’re in the mood for some bear-themed sightseeing, head to Paddington Station where a bronze statue of the bear himself waits to greet visitors. Nearby, you can also visit the Paddington Bear Shop to grab some adorable souvenirs, from teddy bears to marmalade jars. For Chicago Bears fans, Paddington is a reminder of how the city of London embraces all things bear-related with open arms.

Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark the Bear Garden c1599 (1825). The Bear Garden was a site of bear-baiting.

The Bear Garden

Bear garden, not beer garden, although you’ll probably hit both during a successful London trip. Chicago has its Wrigley Field, and London has… the Bear Garden? It sounds like the perfect place for Bears fans to gather! In the Elizabethan era, bear-baiting was a popular form of entertainment (though thankfully no longer practiced today). Close to the famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, there once stood an arena known as The Bear Garden, where Londoners would watch bears fight against dogs in brutal displays.

Although bear-baiting is long gone (thank goodness), the site is worth visiting for history buffs who want to know more about the wild, colorful history of London’s past. Just imagine the fanfare of old London crowds rooting for their favorite bear to take down its opponent – quite the spectacle, but one best left in the past! Today, the area is a cultural hub dedicated to Shakespeare’s works, and you can catch a performance at the Globe Theatre to see how Londoners have shifted from violent bear spectacles to high culture.

Feel free to wear your Bears jersey, so that people know that you are a fan of both literature and sport. 

Winnie Pooh’s

While Paddington might be London’s official bear ambassador, Winnie the Pooh is another beloved British bear with strong connections to the capital. A.A. Milne, the author of “Winnie-the-Pooh”, was inspired by his son Christopher Robin’s love of a real bear at the London Zoo.

This bear, named Winnie, was originally from Canada and became a star attraction at the zoo after being adopted by British soldiers during World War I. Today, Pooh’s legacy lives on in books, movies, and merchandise that continue to delight fans of all ages. While there isn’t a specific Winnie the Pooh landmark in London, a visit to the zoo or a quick stroll through Harrods – where Pooh merch reigns supreme – will satisfy any bear lover’s appetite.

Another fun fact is that the trademark on Winnie has expired, which is why you’ll see him in acting in low-budget horror flicks as of late, in case you were thinking he went full Nick Cage. 

Bears vs Jags 

And of course, the reason you’re here – to support the Chicago Bears in their London appearance, when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham stadium. 

London has become a second home for the NFL over the last decade, with multiple games being played each season as part of the league’s International Series. The city’s stadiums transform into a haven for American football fans, bringing together die-hard supporters from all corners of the globe.

Make sure to immerse yourself in the local NFL culture, as Londoners have fully embraced American football. You’ll find Bears jerseys mingling with fans from all teams, creating a unique international atmosphere you won’t experience anywhere else. We will let you know the NFL events as they come out, so watch this space. From tailgate parties to interactive fan zones, to make the most of your London NFL experience, make sure you follow us for all the cool things to do in London. 

Bear Pubs 

Finally, no trip to London is complete without a pint (or 12) at a local pub. You might even stumble across a pub named after a bear, God knows they have enough lion themed pubs!
So if you’re looking to knock off a pub crawl of Bear-themed pubs, here are a few to consider:

The Bear-Paddington
The aptly named Bear near Paddington station is the perfect place to start your London pub crawl.
An independent pub since 2011, the pub serves up local and craft beers, as well as having its own private hire room.

The Bear and Staff-Soho
Located right in the heart of Soho, is this chain-pub boozer close to all the action. Dating back to 1714, the Bear and Staff has a fine selection of real ales, and is close enough to the Thames for those late night strolls to work off the pints.

Thirsty Bear-South Bank
Just across the river is the aptly named Thirsty Bear, which even offers self-serve taps at your very own table! A very busy pub that is famed for sport, hit the Thirsty if you’re looking to expand on your Bear-Themed pub crawl. 

Brown Bear-White Chapel
Head east young folks if you want to sample the traditional atmosphere of the Brown Bear in Whitechapel. With loads of live sport and whiskey, you might find the pub crawl stalling here for a bit.

White Bear-Farringdon
We love independent pubs, which is why the White Bear in Farringdon is such a sweet treat. With fresh artisan pizzas, rotating local beers, and yummy cocktails, it’s easy to see why this pub is such a popular haunt for locals, and tourists alike.

For Chicago Bears fans, it’s a chance to unwind in true British fashion. And who knows, you might even meet some UK-based Bears fans who share your love for the team – proving once again that “Bear Down” knows no borders. Unless of course you have no idea what that means.

Bear Down in London

London is ready to welcome Chicago Bears fans with open arms (and paws). Whether you’re exploring bear-related landmarks or just soaking in the city’s rich history and culture, there’s plenty to see and do before and after the game. From Paddington to Winnie the Pooh, the bears of London might not have the flash of Caleb Williams, but they’ll certainly add a fun twist to your NFL weekend abroad.

So grab your Chicago Bears jersey, prepare to Bear Down, and enjoy everything London has to offer – from royal bearskin hats to pint-sized Paddington Bear. It’s going to be a roaring good time!

Watch this space, as we will have loads more info here as we release it.

Filed Under: Featured, NFL London, NFL News Tagged With: 2020 London NFL games, 2024 NFL bets, 2024 NFL draft, 2024 NFL london, 2024 NFL rookie, 2024 Tottenham NFL london, bears 2024, bears london, Bears london 2024, bears uk, buffalo bills, Caleb Williams London, Dallas Cowboys, London, london bears, London Games 2024, London International, london NFL to do, New Orleans Saints, NFL tips, NFL Tottenham, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Oakland Raiders, Paddington 3, Paddington bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Cull, the bear london, things to do in london, tom brady, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

AFC Predictions

August 27, 2024 by nflinlondon

The summer is almost over, which means that the NFL is back, and it’s time for our AFC Predictions!

Ryan and Wade have slaved over the schedules, building sleuthy algorithms, and getting some crazy info off the deep, dark web.
What does it all mean?
Probably nothing, but the boys are ready for the start of the season, and have a few thoughts as to who will win what and when.

If you want to hear all of their predictions, then why not pop up the podcast and you can listen in full HD sound?

NFLinLondon · AFC Predictions-Ep 308
So let’s take a look at some of the thoughts the guys have in each division.

AFC East

For Ryan’s Buffalo Bills, this is going to be another tough season with Aaron Rodgers finally healthy, and the Diggs distraction shuffling off to Houston.
Will Mike McDaniels be able to muster some Tua to kick this season up, or have the fish already jumped the shark of the 2020s’?
As for the Patriots, the only thing people are expecting out of them, is a last place finish in the league.
Wade likes AA-Ron and the Jets to finally see some W’s come their way, after a surprising 2023 season that saw Zach get ditched to Denver.
As for the Bills, Wade thinks that they will fall to second place in the division this year, off the running game of NYJ, not to mention their impressive D.

AFC North

The AFC North may very well be the best division in the NFL at the moment. With Burrow, Jackson, and Watson…wait, who? Ok, the other two guys at least.
Aside from the Steelers, the North is looking pretty stacked heading into ’24, and it is very likely that more than one team from this division will be making it to the post season.
Lingering questions still remain in this division however. Will Burrow be healthy for a full season? Can Lamar shake off his playoff woes? Can DeShaun and the Browns rub out a few good wins this year? Will Mike Tomlin finally eat a losing season?
The boys are divided in this one, with Ryan pipping the Bengals to win 11 games and lead the division, and Wade picking the Ravens to do that very thing.
Whatever happens in this division, look out for some pretty big games!

AFC South

The dirty south got a fresh wash from CJ Stroud and the Texans last year, who made a nice little playoff run despite having so many rookies.
The Texans have marched to the top of the south, while the Jaguars have let their backbone slide with Trevor Lawrence over the past few seasons. Can they only win in London?
Let’s not count out those Colts as well, with JT looking to lead the league in rushing, and Anthony Richardson hoping for an injury free season.
No one needs to worry about the Titans.
Both Ryan and Wade have Houston taking this one with a 12 win season.

AFC West

The West is best if you’re a Chiefs fan, and it’s hard not to see how KC can’t make a run for the Lombardi once again.
Sure, Kansas has had a pretty bad offseason for the squad, but they still have Patrick Mahomes, and that D. They also have the best coaches in the league, which inevitably is what matters.
Harbaugh will have a lot of eyes on him, as he hopes to get the most out of Justin Herbert this season, and try to find some winning ways where previously there were few.
Look for Vegas and Denver to battle it out for the lowest two spots.

Fantasy Time

We have a few spots left in our NFL Fantasy pools this season. We use the NFL app, and will be holding our Draft on Saturday August 31st in the UK afternoon.
Reach out to us if you would like to play for free in our pools!

Filed Under: Featured, NFL Betting, NFL Picks Tagged With: 2024 NFL fantasy, 2024 NFL london, 2024 NFL preseason, 2024 NFL rookie, 2024 NFL season, 2024 tottenham nfl, 2024 Wembley games, AFC Predictions, bears london, Brazil NFL 2024, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, kansas city chiefs, London, London Games 2024, London International, London NFL, London NFL 2024, London NFL Tottenham, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, NFL in london, NFL London, NFL news, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Pittsburgh Steelers, Where to watch NFL in London

Super Wait

February 10, 2022 by nflinlondon

Don’t you hate that week between the last Sunday of the playoffs and the Super Bowl?

Technically it’s considered ‘Pro Bowl Week’, although I think most can agree that there is nothing very ‘Pro’ about it, and Week should probably be spelled ‘Weak.’

To break up the doldrums, Wade and Ryan bring another podcast prior to the Super Bowl called ‘Super Wait’, as that’s what we seem to do before the big game kicks off in LA on Sun Feb 13th.

Here’s the podcast for your dirty ears.

NFLinLondon · Super Wait-Ep 188

Among some of the things the guys discuss in this one.

London Games

So it looks like London will be getting 3 games in 2022, with one game being played at Wembley (Jags) and 2 to be played in Tottenham.

Rumours are already rife, but it looks like it will be the Saints snagging one of the home games in North London. Which is nice since the team is hot garbage compared to what they were a few years ago.

Munich is the city for Germany going forward, with whispers that the game there could be between the Bears and Patriots.

Black Coaches

Most of the owners are white, most of the players are black.

The Rooney Rule was supposed provide a transparent hiring policy for black coaches and staff, but it seems to pay little more that lip service to a major discrimination gap.

Brian Flores is going scorched earth on the league, as well as any potential job offers he might have going forward.

Is it worth it?
Hell yeah., if it kicks the owners in the teeth to see progress being made where there has been surprisingly little over the past few decades.

Brady

Tom Brady is finally retired thanks to Shifty Adam Shefter and his need to break news.

Players don’t usually retire during the playoffs as its a sign of disrespect to the guys still playing, which is why it seemed odd that TB12 would announce this after losing.

Shefter shafted the press, causing the Bucs and Tom’s agent to try to get a hold of the story on their own terms.

Will this leave us with an angry Tom Brady who might decide to play a season of spite?
Let’s hope so.

Vegas

What happens in Vegas, ends up in jail.
That’s what the new statement should be after another player gets sucked into the legal vortex that is Vegas.

Alvin Kamara performed his version of ‘Stomp’ on a casino patron, and now finds himself finding a Las Vegas lawyer like many players before him.

If you’re a player heading to Nevada for a party, shouldn’t you really be on your best behaviour there?

If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.
And if you’re going to kick someone in the head, wear fuzzy slippers.

London Super Bowl Parties

Where are you watching the Super Bowl on Sunday?

Our locations are quite full, but there are a few spots left in Clapham and the Princess Alex.

Here’s a link to the Alex

https://princessalexandran8.co.uk/

A word of warning if you’re heading to watch the Super Bowl at a London/ UK location.

If they don’t show the NFL during the regular season, it’s probably not going to be a good time.

There are a lot of chancer bars hoping to scoop in NFL fans, without having any appreciation of the game.

The amount of horror stories we hear from people show up to places who either forgot to get a late license, don’t know which channel it’s on, or force ‘American food’ on folks that is neither American nor food is sad.

Enjoy the game, but be wary of the imposters.

Enjoy the big game, we will have our preview article out this week!

 

Filed Under: Featured, NFL London, NFL News, NFL Podcasts Tagged With: 2022 NFL playoffs, 2022 NFL Wembley, 2022 Superbowl london, bears london, buffalo bills, Dallas Cowboys, London Super Bowl 2022, Minnesota Vikings, Munich NFL, NFL 2022 bets, NFL Germany 2022, NFL International, NFL international series, NFL London playoffs 2022, NFL Munich 2022, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Patriots NFL London, Philadelphia Eagles, Saints London, Super Bowl London, Super Wait, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

Week 13 Preview

December 5, 2020 by nflinlondon

It’s another slug of a week in the NFL, as we take a look at our Week 13 Preview podcast. The previous week of games brought some tough losses, amazing wins, and another batch of injuries to change the playoff outlook even further. The top teams keep rolling, and the Steelers are still undefeated, but are they that good?
Wade McElwain & Ryan Cull are your NFL in London pundits, looking back at the scores from week 12, as well as previewing all of the games ahead in Week 13, as well as their love of seasonal canapés.
Lockdown might be done in the UK, but that doesn’t mean NFL fans are keen to flock to the pubs just yet. It doesn’t help that Premier League games are now directly in contest with the NFL, meaning our fans often get relegated to the side tvs with no sound.
Hopefully we will all be able to watch the Super Bowl together next year. Fingers crossed.

Some of the games the boys hit this week includes:

Colts (7-4) vs Texans (4-7)
Colts -3.5  +53

Indianapolis is still stunned after that viscous beating they took at the hands of the Titans last week. Derek Henry left his boot marks on their D, and they will need to shake off that fuzz if they want to take advantage of a listless Houston team.
The Colts still have a great running game, and short pass options, which will find big gaps in a soft secondary.
Houston are drug cheats. They did it baseball, and now they got caught again in the NFL. Will Fuller is gone, but more importantly this team just received another nail in the coffin that was their 2020 season. JJ Watt must be looking to GTFO of Houston now, so why play hard and hurt your 2021 contract?
Both Ryan & Wade like the Colts to bounceback.
Ryan- Colts 30 Texans 20
Wade-Colts 28 Texans 23

Browns (8-3) vs Titans (8-3)
Titans -6  +53.5

It’s the battle of the 8-3 juggernauts, as we see if the Browns really have what it takes to advance to the post season. All signs point to no.
Cleveland has looked like they have been calling it in all season. Baker Mayfield plays as he does in his commercials, clueless and locked out of the game. The can’t blame it on OBJ because he was hardly even used during the early part of the season.
Tennessee just laid a bit back beating on the Colts and are riding high. They have 8 wins, but those haven’t always been that convincing, barely eeking out victories over some craptastic opponents.
Both teams might play strong, but they could both be easily beat in a first wild card game.
Ryan & Wade are both big on the Titans here at home, although Ryan likes this one to be close.
Ryan- Titans 27 Browns 24
Wade- Titans 34 Browns 24

LA Rams (7-4) vs Cardinals (6-5)
Rams -3.5  +48.5

LA and Arizona were both the victim of an assault last week, except they only have themselves to blame. The Rams were choked out by a superior San Francisco defence, while the Cardinals fell into a Bill Belichick trap. Both of them didn’t see it coming.
Aaron Donald might be carrying the Rams on his shoulders this season, as Jared Goff is inconsistent at best. They failed to get any attacks in motion against a depleted 49ers squad last week, so you wonder how they will be able to keep up punch for punch with Kyler Murray.
Arizona is not as good as many thought. Their 6 wins have been over inept teams, and their 5 losses have at times been very ugly. Kyler looks tiny out there, and is making rookie mistakes in his QB vision. He should be able to wheel out of the way of AD & co., making points with his feet.
Ryan & Wade are both big on the Cardinals for an upset at home. LA hasn’t been definitive enough, and this division contest will mean more to the host.
Ryan- Cardinals 30 Rams 27
Wade- Cardinals 30 Rams 26

Some of the other teams that the boys like to cover this week includes:

Ryan- Chargers Win, Jets Cover, Lions Win, 49ers Win.
Wade-Dolphins Cover, Jets Cover, Falcons Cover, Patriots Win.

Listen to the full podcast for all of our scores and predictions.

Filed Under: Featured, NFL London, NFL News, NFL Picks, NFL Podcasts Tagged With: 2020 London NFL games, bears london, Green Bay Packers, history NFL london, Houston Texans, kansas city chiefs, Miami Dolphins, NFL International, NFL Tottenham, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Oakland Raiders, patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

Week 5 Upsets

October 11, 2020 by nflinlondon

Week 5 in the NFL has some games that are teetering on their own odds. But which games should you pick if you want to get maximum value from the Vegas spread? Luckily I have no real life, so I have analysed some of the games that I think will help you make some money from Week 5 in the NFL.

UPDATE-As of Sunday, the game between the Broncos and the Patriots has been postponed due to another positive test from the Patriots. Bill Belichick must be a bit pissed as that uses up one of their bye weeks, leaving them vulnerable to forfeits going forward.

Panthers (2-2) vs Falcons (0-4)
Falcons -1.5 +54.5

No one seems to give the Panthers credit for being able to win a few games despite losing their top running back. Teddy Bridgewater has been solid as his debut as the starting QB, and their receivers have been gelling more with every game. Their defence also seems over-looked, as they have kept the team in close during their two losses.
Sure, Matt Ryan can score at will with Calvin Ridley, but as soon as they do they get punched in the nose by the opposing offence. The Falcons O-line is atrocious and their secondary isn’t much better.
Las Vegas must really believe in them to win at home despite their oh and four woes.
I really like the Panthers to win here and push for number one in the south.
Prediction: Panthers 31 Falcons 26

Dolphins (1-3) vs 49ers (2-2)
49ers -8.5  +47

Do you believe in Fitzmagic? I do, and this looks like it is going to be a magical weekend in San Francisco.
For everyone who thought that Miami was going to ‘Tank for Trevor’ they have surely silenced all talk of that.
Miami is one of the few teams that look like that they are actually having fun in the year of Covid.
Meanwhile Miami’s defence is no joke, and they have kept themselves close in pretty much every game.
The 49ers are coming off a loss to Philly, which is more dramatic than people think. Sure, they were without Jimmy G, but there were more glaring problems on D and special teams. They haven’t taken a magic pill in the week since the game, but they could be force fed a dose of Fitzmagic in week 5.
Prediction: Dolphins 23 49ers 20

Giants (0-4) vs Cowboys (1-3)
Cowboys -9.5  +54

America’s team is starting to look like America itself these days, lacking direction, focus and responsibility.
Dak continues to put up ridiculous numbers, but those don’t really matter if you let the opposition score just as many and more. Elliot hasn’t really gotten his running groove going thus far, and the O-line is so injured they’re on to practise squad players.
New York is a hot steaming dump of sadness. As much as Daniel Jones can shoulder the burden, this all comes down to coaching. Losing one of the top running backs in the game hurts, but they should be able to adapt to the ever evolving NFL.
The Giants have kept games relatively close this season, and while they might not have the firepower of the Cowboys, they still have a solid receiving corp which has the wheels to score.
Favouring the Cowboys by 9.5 points seems like malarky, and I like the Giants to cover.
Prediction: Cowboys 34 Giants 31

We don’t have a sports betting partner (yet), but I do recommend Bet365 as an app if you’re looking to make some bets. It’s fairly straight forward and best of all, it allows you to watch NFL games not on Sky. That’s right, you don’t need gamepass to watch the games as long as you put a small bet on games.

Make sure you also join our DraftKings League, so that you can play for free or win cash every Sunday.
https://dkn.gs/r/kwxDR0JIokKPkA6cPjCtNA

Stay safe, have fun, and happy betting!

Filed Under: Featured, NFL Betting, NFL News, NFL Picks Tagged With: 2020 London NFL, 2020 London NFL games, Antonio Brown, bears london, fantasy betting, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, kansas city chiefs, la rams, London International, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, NFL bets, NFL betting, NFL betting tips, NFL tips, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Oakland Raiders, patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Cull, tom brady, Wade McElwain, watch NFL games london, Watch NFL London, watching NFL in london, week 5, Where to watch NFL in London

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