NFL in London

National Football League in London

London International

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.

13 and a Half Memes

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Does it feel like this NFL season is going along faster than normal, or is it a miserable season of NFL fantasy that puts the drags on?

Up is down, down is up, and the Patriots are suddenly back in contention after losing the best quarterback in the league.
This is a wild and wacky season.

To commemorate the odd week that was, we have added 13 and a Half Memes, a collection of hilarity to break up the NFL between week’s 13 and 14.

And what’s not to laugh about?

The Lions got their first win! The Bears took in on the mouth against the Cardinals. Aaron won’t stop talking about his toe! Mac Jones was able to win a game by throwing for only 19 yards.

As we limp towards the playoffs…there isn’t one team that is dominating it all…yet.

But what is winning?
Memes.
They always close!

Enjoy, and see you Sunday!

Sports Holidays

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December is here, which means you wasted another year without realising it.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone here.

As you look for things to do to entertain yourselves during the month of December, why not pop down to either the Sports Bar & Grill Old Street or Clapham to settle in for your Sports Holidays?

The announcement of Omicron has spread quickly around the globe, as men-children around the world held out hopes that someone Omicron was a Transformer here to save us.

Doom and gloom can take a vacation this holiday season, so make sure that you book a table so that you can settle in for a dark month of sport.

NFL Sundays

Sunday Fundays at the Sports B&G got even better, with a wicked lineup of NFL games every Sunday.

The calendar Gods are rewarding NFL fans this season with not only games on Christmas, but on Boxing Day as well.

NFL Sundays fall on the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th of December, giving fans four full Sundays of NFL, plus a wicked week 17 line-up on January 2nd.
(still technically the holidays!)

The best way to enjoy the games is to make a booking, and let the lovely team know which games you are looking for!

Boxing Day

Boxing Day hold particular sporting significance in the UK, dating back hundreds of years.

Ever since a little underdog named Jimmy ‘Jesus’ the Saviour fought Kris Kringle on the snowy mounds on Mistletoe Lane, Boxing Day has been synonymous with action.

The Premier League might rule the roost on Boxing Day, but once those games are over, the NFL takes over in epic fashion.
The Sports Bar will be very BUSY on Boxing Day, so please make a booking so that we can get your table sorted before the NFL kicks off.

NCAA Football

Both Clapham and Old Street will endeavour to show as much college football as they can, but they are limited by what is shown on the UK sports networks.

Luckily, BT Sport ESPN have upped their game as of late, adding more college games to the fold every weekend.

If the college games air on a UK sports network, they will be happy to throw the games on for you.

Be sure to check the TV schedules for all the days that you’re looking for.

Get in touch with the team if you would like to book a big group in.

Playoffs

The Sports Bar and Grill(s) will be working to show as many NFL playoff games as possible.

With the time changes and schedule upheavals, we will keep you in the loop as to all of the updates and games as we know them.

Make sure you keep us in mind for the SuperBowl as well!

Reservations

Book your tables here for

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

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

Dec the Halls

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Ho Ho Ho y’all, it’s Christmas time in the NFL!

With an expanded NFL season, COVID in the rear view’ish mirror, and AB once again suspended, it’s time to Dec the Halls in this early December podcast.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull are here with their Week 13 predictions, picks and general gut feels for what lies ahead this weekend.

Many of you/us are already finding that your NFL Fantasy season is almost over, to those of you are already out-we sympathise and can offer you a few nuggets of information to take into your long walk into summer.

Among some of the games the guys discuss for Week 13 includes:

-7.5 Vikings (5-6) vs Lions (0-10-1)  +46.5

Oh Minnesota, what does the future hold?
The Vikings have been disrupting the chances of some of the league’s top contenders, while keeping themselves on the periphery of qualifying.
Kirk Cousins has been trashable, while losing Dalvin Cook is going to affect their chances the next few weeks.

The poor, poor, Detroit Lions.
Like the vacant city that birthed them, the team is lacking hope moving forward.
Poor Detroit.

Ryan thinks that the Vikes will open a can of whoop-ass on the sad Lions, kicking them to the curb in an epic beatdown.

Wade likes the Vikings to keep the game close-but not too close,  as has been most of their games this season.

Ryan- Vikings 37 Lions 17
Wade- Vikings 28 Lions 20

-10 Colts (6-6) vs Texans (2-9)  +45.5

The Colts smell blood in the water around the struggling Titans, opening up a chance for them to make a playoff run on the back of some great games as of late.
It’s still Carson Wentz at QB though…

The Texans were never in this season, but they have made some games trouble for some of the top teams, as they act as a Christmas gremlin moving towards the post season.

Ryan likes Jonathan Taylor and the Colts to do a runner on the Texans, laying an epic beatdown that will be felt throughout the league.

Wade remembers that the Colts often lose to bad teams, and the Texans are a bad team, which is why he thinks it will be closer than people think.

Ryan- Colts 33 Texans 17
Wade- Colts 28 Texans 24

Giants (4-7) vs -4 Dolphins (5-7) + 41

This could easily be the contender for ‘worst game on Sunday’, as these two teams meet in a Miami stinker.

New York has been a real disappointment this season, with Saquon going down quick, and Daniel Jones struggling to command leadership of the team.
Firing Jason Garrett was just the tip of a very dirty member.

Ryan likes the G-Men to overcome this week, even if it looks like Mike Glennon will be under the hood. He’s tipping big blue to not only upset, but potentially win this one.

Wade likes the way Tua has been playing as of late, and that a nice warm home bath, should help the Dolphins focus on getting win number 6.

Ryan- Giants 23 Dolphins 20
Wade- Dolphins 21 Giants 13

Washington FT (5-6) vs -2.5 Raiders (6-5)  +50

Washington started the season as snitches who need stitches, but have quietly been dismantling some of the league’s top teams.
Even without a premier QB, Washington has relied on short passes and a solid running game.

Las Vegas has had a season to forget, with enough drama to start a new Bravo network.
Derek Carr continues to chew up the yards, despite not having too many tools to toss to.

Ryan is a Raider this weekend, as he likes Las Vegas to double down on the FT, and pull out a big win at home.

Wade thinks that WFT is still not done wrecking the futures of teams, and likes them to run over Vegas in an upset.

Ryan- Raiders 23 WFT 17
Wade- WFT 30 Raiders 24

Pack at Home

Anyone who is a fan of ‘The Office’ knows that Brian Baumgartner is freaking awesome as Kevin.

So it only makes sense for the Green Bay Packers to be the biggest ‘Office’ fans, given that Aaron Rodgers is the only NFL QB to make an appearance on the show.

What would happen if Kevin from ‘The Office’ looked after the stadium during the bye week?

Comedy gold.

Sports Bar December

Make sure you join us every Sunday at the Sports Bar & Grill Old Street and Clapham.

This month is all about sports, so pop in every Sunday for NFL on the 5th, 12th 19th, and 26th of December.

Make a reso to watch the games on your own TV.

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

See you Sunday.

Turkey Hangover

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The gobble gobble is done for 2021, as the Thanksgiving slate of games are now leftovers, as we look ahead to week 12 in the NFL.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull are back with another exciting NFL preview podcast, as the boys digest their Turkey Hangover in this Week 12 preview.

Make sure you listen, laugh and love this new podcast episode.

Turkey Bowls

The Bears look aging and toothless as they fought off an equally inept Detroit Lions squad to get the first Thursday W.
This game was ugly on all fronts, as the only big winner of the night were penalties.
Matt Nagy holds onto his seat for another week.

‘Dem Boyz were lassoed by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, in a frustrating game for Dak and the home fans.
This OT thriller was not only a big win for the Raiders, but also the highest watched Thanksgiving NFL game in history.

Ryan was thrilled as his Bills made short work of a depleted New Orleans Saints team on Thursday night.
Buffalo were able to show the AFC who still could be boss, in a game where they lost one of their biggest D pieces for the season.

-3 Bucs (7-3) vs Colts (6-5)  +53

Everyone is in love with the Colts again after Jonathan Taylor boot stomped the Bills last week in an easy victory.
Given this massive performance, all the pundits are pushing Indy on Sunday to give Tampa a tough game.

Let’s not forget it’s TB12. He is a fear factor in every game, and moving ahead to the playoffs, the Bucs only look to get stronger.
Tommy and Bruce will look to make statement here, looking to shut down Taylor, and bury the Colts in points, so they’ll be forced to make throws.

Wade likes the Bucs here to make short work of the Colts, and show Indy for what they really are…a team lacking depth.

Ryan on the other hand is sniffing the Wentz, picking them to give Brady and the boys a tough contest en route to victory.

Ryan- Colts 33 Bucs 30
Wade- Bucs 30 Colts 23

-2 Falcons (4-6) vs Jags (2-8)

Matty Ice and the birds are coming off a TNF beat down at the hands of Bill Belichick and the Patriots, and will be looking to add a much needed win over this sad Jags squad.

Will Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville team be able to respond to keep this game close?

Ryan thinks that the Jaguars at home will be too much for this Atlanta team, especially since he has been clean from betting on Falcons teams for 3 weeks now.
He likes the Jags to upset the flow of Matt Ryan, and reward Urban Meyer with a home W.

Wade on the other hand thinks that Atlanta is too much for this putrid Jacksonville team.
While both teams have really bad D’s, the Falcons have a marginally better one.

Ryan- Jags 23 Falcons 20
Wade- Falcons 24 Jags 21

Steelers (5-4-1) vs -4 Bengals (6-4)  +45

Big bloated Ben struggled against the mighty Chargers last week, despite gooning for four fourth quarter touchdowns in a loss.
The Steelers D is finally getting some healthy bodies back this week, as TJ Watt looks to rejoin the Pittsburgh fold.

Cincy has struggled and Joe Burrow looks a former shell of himself from last season.
The Bengals have taken some bad losses, and Burrow showed weak form in some games, but should look to rebound in this divisional contest.

Ryan likes the heroics of Big Ben to lead the charge here, in a big win for Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Wade thinks this is a get right game for Cincinnati, and Mixon and the boys should have an easy victory against Pittsburgh.

Ryan- Steelers 30 Bengals 26
Wade- Bengals 27 Steelers 18 

That’s it for the picks this weeks Turkey Hangover podcast, make sure that you join us every Sunday at the Sports Bar and Grill Old Street and Clapham for our Sunday Funday spectacular.

Book a table so you can watch the games on your own TV.