NFL in London

National Football League in London

bill belichick

Top 5 QBs

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The 2021 NFL season has barely even begun, and we are already starting to see some players who look to dominate the stats. 

Brady has been ageless, Lamar has been inspiring, Daniel Jones fleet footed, and Kyler Murray has just been sublime.

Let’s take a look at some of the top players to pop their heads up thus far this season, in our way too early ‘Top 5 QBs’ predictor. 

Tom Brady

It is rumoured that the fabled fountain of youth is somewhere in Florida after being discovered by Ponce de Leon.
Given that the way that TB12 and company have been playing thus far this season, it’s safe to say that the Bucs may have found that fountain. 

Boasting 9 touchdowns in only 2 games of the season, Brady is on target to have one of his best years yet.
Adding to this is that new, mental health smile that Tommy wears in every interview.

Unlike during his days on the Pats, Brady actually looks like he wants to be there, and is having fun.
That’s a huge motivator to his O line and rest of the team, as they get to watch an old man playing a game that he loves. 

Here’s his Insta if you want to help spread his love.
https://www.instagram.com/tombrady/

If Brady & Gronk keep connecting like they have been, Brady and the Bucs should be a shoo-in to make the final 4 of the 2021 NFL season. 

Matthew Stafford

Oh what the wonders of switching teams will do to a man. 

After a long suffering spell at the Lions with their shaky offensive line, Matthew Stafford has finally moved on to his forever team. 

Matt impressed with a definitive week 1 beatdown of the Bears, followed up by a tough, but inspired win against the frustrated Colts. 

Stafford has quickly found the hands of Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee, as he looks to turn the team into contenders after struggling under the arm of Goff. 

Just like Brady took a few games to get the Bucs going last year, it might be a few more weeks before we see the Rams in full punishing mode, as they look to find their feet in the season.

Derek Carr

Sorry, did you say Derek Carr?

Yep, this Las Vegas gunslinger has been lighting up the league early in the 2021 season, with wins over the Ravens and Steelers to solidify their status as ‘scary’ for upcoming opponents. 

Despite being bounced around in these contests, Carr is leading the league in passing this far, and it isn’t even close. 

Chucking for over 800 yards, Carr has been spreading the ball like peanut butter to his whole host of receivers and the big-balling Darren Waller. 

Critics are quick to predict the imminent downfall of the Raiders, ignoring the fact that they handled both AFC contenders quite easily. 

Losing Josh Jacobs in week 2 put a lot more pressure on Carr’s battered body, but his competitiveness has shone like a bright light on the strip. 

Russell Wilson

Do you smell that?
It’s Russ cooking in the kitchen, and things are starting to heat up.

Wilson has been peppering Tyler Lockett with deep balls, while feeding the beast that is DK.

Despite a tough second half in week 2, Russ has continued to pour on the points, adding 5 touchdowns to his career tally in 2021.
What’s even more impressive is that Wilson has zero interceptions thus far this season, something even Aaron Rodgers can’t boast about. 

The Seahawks often have mid-season break downs piled on by injuries, so we will have to see how chef Wilson is able to keep his kitchen cooking. 

Until then, the aroma in Seattle smells nice!

Kyler Murray

If good things come in small packages, then the Arizona Cardinals are sitting on one of the best small packages in the NFL.

Kyler Murray led his team to another dramatic victory in week 2, solidifying his status as a top NFL MVP candidate. 

Despite dropping out of MVP the race last season due to injury, Kyler (+750) is now pipped amongst Tom Brady (+750), and just behind Mahomes to snag the title this season. 

He leads the Cardinals into week 3 as 7.5-point favourites against the Jaguars.

https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/nfl/odds/

If Arizona takes home another win, expect Kyler Murray’s MVP odds to get even better. 

With upcoming games against the 49ers, Rams and Browns, the Cardinals and Kyler will be tested every week. 

Unlike like last season however, Murray has more speedster receivers, more confidence and JJ Watt. 

That’s it for our top 5, is there anyone that you think we missed on the list? 

Don’t forget, we have games coming to London soon, so watch this space for all the big NFL in London news .

 

Week 1 Tips

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Sunday Funday is finally here, which means it’s time to get NFL serious, as we give you our Week 1 Tips.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull exhaust themselves every week breaking down every game, using enhanced super computers, tapping into dark crystals, and channeling dark energy from NFL players of old.

Week 1 is always a bag of cats as you have no idea what happens when everything gets loose, and it’s time to take the field.  It’s hard to predict how the offseason went, how new players have fit into the system, and who is hiding their injuries.

That being said, here are our top picks for the week.

Ryan

Texans (+4) -Houston, we have a problem…Ryan is betting on you for week 1. He thinks that Urban Myer and his group of kids is going to struggle against a nameless Texans squad.

Bengals (+3)-Ryan is Burrowing his bets on Joe in this tough match against the Vikings. With Zimmer being a mess at play calling, he is sure that Cincinnati kids will be able to rally together to overthrow the Minnesota menaces.

NY Giants (+3)-Who the heck would back Daniel Jones in his first game of the season? Ryan would! He loves Saquon and the boys to stuff if down the throat of Fangio and his fanboys in a low scoring affair.

Saints (+4) The Saints might not come marching in, but they will put up a homestead against the ready to rumble Packers. Despite a hurricane rocking the Saints away from home, they will be full Jameis’d for this affair, and Kamara will add to the woes of Green Bay. He doesn’t see the Saints winning, but covering-yes.

Raiders (+4) Late night NFL fans will be watching this Monday night contest with bleary eyes, as it doesn’t start here until the wee hours of the morn. Ryan is big on the bad boy Raiders to grab a win from the flightless Ravens at home.

If you’re smart enough to follow Ryan’s lead, you could rip home a lovely profit of, on a £10 bet.
Betting a tenner will win you £317.27 using Ryan’s tips above.
You ready to get lucky?

Wade

Despite besting Ryan in betting against the spread for the past few years, Wade is always cautious heading into week 1.
He does have some games that he has an inkling he thinks will go all wrong.
These include:

Cardinals (+3)-Tiny Kyler and his Cardinal Babies struggled last season to find their footing, but they should be fully planted for this contest. This will be a DFS bonanza, as both teams trade long balls all day long. The Titans traditionally start slow, and this game will demonstrate that.

Colts (+3)-Carson Wentz is back, said no one trying to intimidate another person ever. The Colts were a dominant team last season led by a ridiculous O line and fast D. There’s no reason that doesn’t change for week 1 as they battle a weak Seahawks D. Look for a home town celebration.

Eagles (+3)-Philly wasn’t so special last year as they struggled with a rotation at QB. By the time Jalen Hurts took over, there was a bit too much pressure for the youngster to succeed.
With a whole new support squad, this team can score, which is what they will do against the Falcons.

Dolphins (+3)-Mac Jones has the football, everyone be afraid! Bill Belichick has spent some time building his new squad out of clay, but that doesn’t mean that they will hold up to the toughness of the NFL. It’s one thing to do well in preseason. Miami starts the season strong, and Flores will have some mind games ready for little Mac.

Bengals (+3) -Not to win, but to cover. The Bengals can score if Joe Burrow has his head (and body) in the game. Minnesota is weak in back D, which should give the Bengals plenty of chances to torch them deep. A close game for sure.

Taking Wade’s picks, with a £10 wager will win you £310.66, a nice chunk of pocket change to start your Monday.

Come join us Week 3 at the Sports Bar and Grill Old Street to get a chance to WIN a set of tickets to the Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Stadium.

Have a great Sunday!

 

Why do UK sportsbooks suck at NFL?

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With sports betting exploding around the world, we often get asked ‘what are the best websites for NFL betting’?
Surprisingly, there aren’t very many available to UK fans that actual focus on NFL games, odds and options.
In fact we always find ourselves asking ‘Why do UK sportsbooks suck at NFL’?
There are a few reasons for this, which we will explain, as well as point you in the direction of our Top 3 NFL betting websites. 

Betting Britain

Britain has been betting on sports for decades, so one would assume that the betting product would be sleek, slick and easy to navigate.
Nope.
Betting in Europe is more ‘football focused’ (aka soccer) meaning that many of the betting options and parlays simply aren’t available to the public.
While the NFL betting options accelerated during the 80s’ NFL boom in the UK, it didn’t really translate into dedicated product.
Even as UK sports books increase their offerings in the face of American growth, they still lack the gumption to tailor their products to North American sports. 

Moneyline

One of the biggest issues for NFL betting fans comes down to formatting.
Europe and the UK prefer the use of ‘Decimal Odds’ or 

‘Fractional Odds’ when it comes to setting their weekly lines, whereas North Americans prefer the standard ‘Moneyline.’

For anyone not used to seeing odds formatted in ‘Decimal Odds’ style, it can be a confusing and intimidating style of play.
Many European sports books lazily refuse to add Moneyline odds, which essentially deprives them of a new, hungry audience.
North Americans are new to NFL betting, and intimidating them right off the bat is no way to sign up new customers. 

Options

Any NFL fan who has ever walked into the sports bar of a Las Vegas casino, knows that a magical experience is about to happen.
Not only do Vegas sports bars display countless betting options, the employees who work at sports books are all too happy to help with the numerous different ways you can wager.
UK casinos rarely even sports books, as was the case when we ran events at the Hippodrome in Leicester Square.
Fans who were desperate to wager on games were pointed to the Ladbrokes down the street, which benefited HUGE from the thousands of fans who wanted to throw down money each week.
Betting became so big there, that Ladbrokes employees from down the road would attend viewing parties because they had ‘so many people coming to bet on games’, they wanted to see what it was all about. 

Authenticity

Real NFL bettors usually have a weekend plan for success.
If you know which of the games on Sunday are ripe for betting, you will work out how many parlays, over-unders, and long shots you are willing to make.
Attempting to then make those wagers on a UK betting app then begins the problems.
Not only are the odds radically different from the US, but the ability to make ‘out there’ bets is only possible if you go into a shop, and find a competent worker.
While it is rewarding to burn a lazy bookmaker for not paying attention to NFL news across the pond, it’s frustrating to have to Scooby Doo down all the information from an app. 

Over the years we have tried to discuss the poor NFL betting options with bookmakers, but it has always fallen on deaf ears.
Either they don’t care about making money from a massively untapped market, to they’re just lazy.

So what betting websites would we recommend?
They’re pretty limited, but here you go.

1. Bet365

When it comes to NFL betting in Europe, Bet365 seems to be the only one with their head in the game.
Not only do they offer the best betting options for the NFL, but they also have a wide selection of parlays and novelty bets on offer.
Sure, the layout is a bit laborious, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy to get betting.
You can also switch between betting pricing, allowing players to compare moneyline vs decimal options.
The best past about Bet365 however is the ability to watch the games.
Provided that you have bet on some NFL matches, bettors have the option of being able to stream the game to their phone or device.
With limited viewing options in Europe, this is a ‘MUST HAVE’ feature for NFL fans, as it allows you to watch the game in real time, for no extra cost.
Expats in Europe have been raving about this option for years, as it also extends to MLB, NBA and NHL games, which are hard to find across the pond.
Bet365 has pretty good customer service as well, which is really helpful if you are looking to bet on specific options. 

2. Betway

Second on the list is Betway, which has seen a drop in its NFL product in recent years.
With a very simple and straightforward layout, Betway’s NFL betting is a far simpler option than that of Bet365.
Parlays are quite easy to manipulate, and the overplay is quite crisp and simple.
Betway’s NFL product dropped in quality in 2020, so we are curious to see if they are going to improve on it.
Customer service is slow, but effective once they’re on it. 

3. Paddypower

Remember when Paddypower use to be edgy and funny?
Good times.
The Irish lads have gone corporate, and it shows in their North American sports betting options.
Like Betway, the NFL offerings on Paddy are pretty straightforward.
Nothing too fancy, and there are some muddled parlays and novelty bets in the mix, although they usually look like they were assembled by a soccer fan.
Customer service at Paddy is hit and miss, and on a busy game day, you’re more likely to encounter snark than satisfaction. 

We are still holding out that one day a UK sports book will actually take North American sports in Europe seriously.
With bookmakers on the continent on a frenzied mission to gobble up as many American betting properties as possible, you would think that they would actually look at what is successfully stateside and try to replicate it in Blighty.
 
The NFL is only going to get bigger in Europe, which bookmaker is finally ready to take it seriously?

Training Camp

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The NFL is back…sort of, and we’ll take it!

On this episode of the podcast, Wade McElwain is joined by Atlanta Falcons fan Chapman Maddox, as they discuss oodles of NFL news now that Training Camp has begun!

We all know what training camp means!
A chance to see flickers of potential in your team as you imagine them hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.
But in reality, Training Camp is also an eye-opener as to how fat your players got, the ego problems that will hover the locker room all season, and the possibility that one of your star players will go down for the season.

Heck, Carson Wentz is already injured, and that only took 2 days. Going to be a long season for the Colts.

Some of the other topics that Wade and Chapman break down in this podcast includes:

London Games

Are you double vaxxed? Do you have the latest booster?
The London games are a go ahead for October 2021, but we still have no idea what the landscape of the NFL and COVID will look like.
Tickets have yet to go on sale, so if you did buy some already…it’s a scam, sorry.
The most likely scenario for being able to attend the games will be having to be double vaccinated, as well as the potential for testing prior to the games.
We all want the NFL to come back, we all want to watch the games, but we need to make sure that people are safe going forward.
There’s no sense in rushing things if we’re just going to have to step back 4 months from now.

Roddy Weed

Formers Falcons player(s) Julio Jones and Roddy White are finding themselves at the hot end of the bong this week, after being accused of pilfering money from a cannabis company.
Weed is a bug business, and while retired players are getting into the investment sector, current players might find themselves facing a federal issue promoting these products.
As for Julio and Roddy, this smoke will most likely blow over.

Player Vax

Some players just don’t want to get vaxxed period.
America’s battle lines of freedom are being drawn, as many players are turning down the vaccine for personal reasons.
This is all well and good…except their employer (the NFL) has a business to run, and doesn’t really care about your opinion(s), especially if it cause them to lose money.
Teams are already starting to draw the lines on vax safety, just as players are finding their social media groove of supporters encouraging them not to ‘get the jab’.
This is something that we will see all season, and the NFL has already laid down the law in terms of its expectations.
Will players choose ‘freedom’ or ’employment’?

Cheetah Cheetah

Still claiming to be the ‘fastest man in the NFL’, speedster Tyreek Hill has upped his ego game by challenging Olympic phenom Usain Bolt to a race.
There’s no doubt that Hill is fast, but there is a difference between ‘NFL fast’, and ‘100 m fast’, just as there is a difference between the NFL and the XFL.
Bolt doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone, and Hill would be totally outclassed by the worlds fastest man.

Rodgers

The drama is over and Aaron Rodgers is back with the Packers…but is the drama over?
Nope.
After returning to training camp, Rodgers went on a media tear, as did Gutekunst, offering a press banter without actually talking to each other.
Aaron got the one year contract he wanted, and restructured his deal to be able to walk away easily in 2022.
Broken teams don’t win Super Bowls, and there is no way the Packers are winning a Super Bowl with a fractured locker room.
There’s way more talent on the table in 2022, with an extra week of games, and a whole new sizzle of new, exciting players.
The ‘favourites’ better look out!

Have a listen to the podcast, and make sure you share and care this bad boy to your friends, family and enemies.

Summer of Sport

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What a bounty of gameplay we have ahead of us in 2021!
All hail the Summer of Sport!

From the NHL and NBA playoffs, to the 2020 Euros (what?).
Baseball is back, and so is TB12 to take on year another QB foe in a golf off.
And let’s not forget those Tokyo Olympics! Sure, they were off last year, but this year they are back with trepidation.
That leads us all the way into September for the big show in sport.

Wade & Ryan look at some of the scant trickling of NFL news that trickles down the wall in June.
The OTA’s are on, but who is really watching them?

Among some of the other big stories the boys talk about are:

Julio Jones

Me and Julio are heading down to the Titans yard, after a big swoop in by Tennessee to secure the veteran WR.
AJ Brown did everything except promise his first born to JJ, becoming the fan boy who made us all a little creeped out.
Julio has a new home, now let’s see what he does this season.

TB12 Joker

Tom Brady doesn’t seem to get an F anymore when it comes to social media. He is the embarrassing dad of the NFL, posting half baked memes, sly digs, and shots across the bow at former foes.
Isn’t it grand?
Brady is obviously having way more fun than in Boston, which should be scary for everyone.

Who stole the Wilfork’s?

Poor Vince Wilfork. There’s nothing worse than that violating feeling of being robbed, only to find out that the thief was your very own spawn.
The children of rich kids, huh?
Vince’s son stole all of his jewellery to pawn off, not really thinking the whole process through.
Instead of therapy, why not put them on a reality TV show?

Kyler Hates Dallas

Everything is bigger in Texas, except Kyler Murray.
Jumping onto a soundbite, Murray was quick to diss ‘America’s Team’, and the hype that surrounds them.
If only Kyler was a wee bit bigger, he might be able to see over that O-Line of his.

Oh Aaron

Aaron Rodgers is still holding out, preferring to spend his summer watching Myles Teller get popped in the mouth around the Caribbean.
All signs point to Rodgers NOT returning this year, perhaps he’ll spend the fall watching Jeopardy reruns and hoping that they would give him that forever call.

Le’Veon Bell Ringing

Le’Veon Bell knows how to talk his way out of a job.
All you have to do is attack one of the nicest coaches in the league, and accuse him of ‘hating’ you.
Bell already led his own face out of Pittsburgh with idiocy, so it goes to figure that Bell would do the same to screw his way out of KC.
What’s the end game Le’Veon?
Do you really think that teams are that desperate for an overweight, and needy RB?
Maybe by week 6.

London Games

Freedom Day is here…almost…sort of.
The UK was due to open up like a beautiful flower on June 21st, 2021, but now that all got scuppered due to another ‘variant’.
This means that the UK is ‘due’ to return to ‘normal’ by the end of July 2021, giving us plenty of time to welcome fans in for the October NFL games at Tottenham.
Of course there is a whole summer of virus ahead of us, so we will take it one down at a time.
When we know something, we will let you know as well.

Here’s the podcast for this week.
It’s short, sweet, and misses the mark on many occasions…just like Kyler Murray.

Have a great summer, stay safe, stay sane…and get ready for some football!