• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

NFL in London

National Football League in London

  • NFL in London
  • NFL Pictures
  • NFL News
  • NFL Picks
  • NFL Podcasts
  • NFL Betting
  • NFL Video
  • NFL London
  • Contact

matt lafleur

Divisional Halfway-NFC

November 2, 2024 by nflinlondon

Welcome to November, as we begin the chilly part of the NFL season, and take a look at the Divisional Halfway-NFC, in a division that is really heating up.

With half of the season already done, teams should have a pretty good idea of what it takes to make that giant playoffs leap forward. Let’s break down each division and separate the wheat from the losers.

NFC EAST

What the Washington? Where did they come from? Dan Synder must be licking his wounds, or trading naked pictures of cheerleaders on the dark web, to see what the WFT has done in 2024. Jayden Daniels has made an immediate impact, even tossing a game winning Hail Mary to beat the Bears. With zero expectations going into the season, they sure like the hot hand in the East.

Philly might have something to say about that, after a slow start has suddenly invigorated their D, and put some punch back into Jalen’s legs. Saquon has been a beast for the Eagles, and they could look to ride him into a playoff berth.

Dallas is getting messy, and not in a good way. Jerry Jones has poor communication going on from the top down, as it’s not clear what them Boys are going to do. Dak is struggling with no O line, raging running backs, and only CeeDee in double coverage. Maybe they get dangerous after week 10, or just continue to implode.

New York got exposed on Hard Knocks, and it seems to have followed them like the stink of moth balls. Losing Saquon was a face slap, but maybe not as hard as how Daniel Jones has under performed this season. Is it the coaching, or does DJ lack the gusto to win? The Giants sure have.

NFC NORTH

The Motor City is the big cat in this division, as the Lions have continued to spank opponents in big fashion. Jared Goff has been solid, the running game has double punching power, and the receivers are top notch. Losing Hutchinson is a big blow for the D, but they seem to have recovered and look like the top picks in the NFC.

The Vikings are doing that totally Minnesota thing again. Starting great, and them flummoxing themselves to February with inconsistent play. After being exposed after running up 5 wins, they seem to be naked to their own advancement. Will they be able to rally, or will Darnold get the blame for a team a few weapons short.

Green Bay has had a surprising season of wins, when it looked like Love trouble after week 1. It all comes down to the coaching here, as Matt Lafleur has been clutch in reading teams, and calming his approach. Josh Jacobs has been a welcome addition as the Pack have made a bit of a run, but they always seem to shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to crush time.

Whoa those Bears! Caleb has been steady, but not as solid as the D has been at keeping Chicago in games. While there was a lot of expectations, Bears fans should be happy that they are at the beginning of a franchise whilst others falter. Eberflus should be relieved of play-calling, and stick to overall coaching, but the Bears might be able to sneak through with a cheeky wild card if they can make it through a tough last schedule.

NFC SOUTH

The dirty south runs through Atlanta, as Kirk Cousins has found his groove, and the Falcons have a running game that can do some damage. A slow start has led to the birds starting to flock together, although their D has shown they can take points hits. They are owning their division, which goes a long way to the playoffs.

Baker Mayfield tries so hard, but that hasn’t helped Tampa as they took a slew of injuries to thwart their fun run of W’s. It’s hard to see a way for the Bucs to continue, as Mayfield doesn’t have enough targets, or O line to stop the bleed. He might find a way to a wild card, but it’s doubtful.

Derek Carr and the Saints marched to 2 quick wins of 50 points, with Alvin Kamara trampling D’s, then the suck happened. Carr looks to return, but the Saints and Dennis Allen have shown that something isn’t right in New Orleans. Too inconsistent, too many injures, and not enough weapons. What will they trade away?

Oh Carolina, even Shaggy couldn’t write a song about your woes. Bring in Bryce, bring in Andy, what does it matter? The Panthers traded away the rest of their goods, so they’re trying to dress for the Oscars, with items from a charity shop. Only good thing about the Panthers is betting against them.

NFC WEST

The West use to be best, but it hasn’t looked that way to start the season, as this division is as wide open as the plains that separate them. The 49ers SHOULD be leading the way here, but big injuries, and close loses have fated them to a grind it out time. San Fran is a good team, they just haven’t shown it yet, and they better soon, or they could get usurped.

Matt Stafford and the Rams continue to find ways to win, because they were still recent Super Bowl champs. Coaching has been the big key in ’24, and Sean McVay has winning in his blood. Despite some early injuries, the Rams are starting to make a string of wins happen, and that’s dangerous for the NFC. Don’t be surprised if the Rams wild card it to the danger zone in 2025.

Seattle has been riding old man Geno hard over the past few seasons, with not a lot of support. The Seahawks have games where they look brilliant, and then play the Bills and looks totally outclassed. When it comes down to the tough games, the team crumbles under the pressure, and won’t see a lot of joy going forward.

Kyler Murray keeps trying, but it just isn’t enough for a Cardinals squad that can only play half a game. One minute he’s looking awesome, scrambling and hitting targets, and the other he looks lost in shuffle.
Arizona has never felt like they could put a full winning team together to win every game. Coming up short is their way, and they’ll do it again.

Who knows what the season will hold, but it looks like the Lions, Falcons, Redskins, and Rams will all be fighting it out in January.

Make sure you listen to our latest podcast, just give it a click here.

NFLinLondon · Week 9 Picks-Ep 326

Filed Under: NFL Betting, Featured, NFL News, NFL Picks Tagged With: 2024 nfc, 2024 NFL betting, 2024 NFL fantasy, 2024 NFL london, 2024 NFL playoffs, 2024 tottenham nfl, 2024 Wembley games, Bears Jaguars 2024, Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, Divisional Halfway-NFC, Jared goff, kansas city chiefs, London NFL, matt lafleur, matt ryan, matt stafford, New Orleans Saints, NFC east, nfc east nfc west, nfc preview, nfc west, NFL Tottenham, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

Rodgers Lover

October 29, 2019 by nflinlondon

This might be the last article I ever get to write for NFL in London because – WARNING – I’m going to say some nice things about Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. I assume many of you will know that Wade, the boss of this here domain, is a huge Chicago Bears fan. Therefore I am walking on eggshells at best by setting out my stall here and saying I’m going to be positive about the Cheeseheads from Wisconsin… but stick with me.

Sunday Night’s win over the Chiefs wasn’t perfect from the Packers’ perspective, but perhaps that’s what made it all the more impressive. The Chiefs often maligned defense was able to pressure and worry Rodgers, and the usually assured scrambler was hit and sacked at a significantly higher rate than the norm, suggesting the Packers’ O-Line protection needs a little bit of work done to it. But Rodgers was able to use his backfield weapons to great effect. Aaron Jones (I love you) & Jamaal Williams (I don’t love you, STOP taking fantasy points away from my Aaron) both found the endzone twice, and ensured that the team bereft of it’s one truly elite receiver – Davante Adams – still managed to score 31 points in one of the NFL’s most intimidating “home field advantage” stadiums. Jones, especially, is a true livewire, as exhibited on his two huge plays in Arrowhead. The pace he showed to break away from the Chiefs’ secondary will terrify most defenses around the league, and when you have Aaron Rodgers making INSANE plays – like the “heave and hope,” over the shoulder pass to Williams in the very back corner of the endzone – you always have more than a chance.

Rodgers has only one black mark on his surefire Hall of Fame resume. He’s only got one title. ONE. Playing for Titletown. The 2010 run to Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers was fairly magical, with the Packers winning 3 road games against the Eagles, the Falcons and the (sorry Wade) aforementioned Bears, en route to the Lombardi Trophy. But that’s been it. Not just one title. One Super Bowl APPEARANCE for Rodgers. Yep. It’s amazing. Admittedly, he’s not always had the best pieces around him, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but the closest he’s come to glory since 2010 is getting blown out in the NFC Championship game in 2016 by Atlanta. Yes, he’s a two-time League MVP, but only having one Super Bowl win, when you’re considered by SOME to be the greatest Quarterback of all time… It doesn’t quite feel right.

On the other hand, there’s another guy out there who is widely considered the GOAT, who seems to be blazing his annual trail straight back to the Super Bowl in his search for his SEVENTH Championship and the destruction of the planet as we know it. Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr & The New England Patriots. Brady’s run is almost the antithesis of Rodgers’. Brady has usually been supported by a solid team, whilst Rodgers has often had to make more than the sum of the parts around him. Brady can also be glad for the elite coaching staff he’s always had alongside him, and therefore the ability to be good enough in the regular season to almost guarantee home field advantage for his yearly hunt for gold. Since 2008, Brady has played in just THREE true road playoff games. Interestingly, he has a 1-2 record in those games, with the only win being that travesty against the Chiefs last year. And before I hear ONE COMPLAINT from Patriots’ fans, that pre-snap penalty saved you and was an absolute travesty. Ugh. So he’s actually beatable if you can drag him away from Foxborough. He’s just too good to let that happen often. Ugh again. Anyway, basically Brady hasn’t even had to be that good this year so far because the Patriots defense is absolutely mauling all teams unlucky enough to be put in front of them. Seriously, “lambs to the slaughter” comes to mind every time I watch a team try to score against them. But the point is, Brady is rolling towards another AFC Championship game, without really breaking much of a sweat.

But IF the Patriots make it to the big one again this year… could it be Rodgers waiting for him? The NFC is seemingly stacked with very viable teams, but Green Bay – who for once have a defense to support Rodgers – could be the one. We’ve only ever seen Rodgers vs Brady twice (1 win each for the record, don’t all great things come in threes?!), but wouldn’t it be poetic to see these two face off for the biggest prize in North America? There would be a LOT of conflicted people who wouldn’t know who to cheer for… but it might just end up being that way. What a spectacle it would be. Maybe Brady vs Rodgers on the biggest stage in American sports is what we truly deserve… Or worse… maybe it’s what we all secretly want.

Callum Squires
@callumjdsquires

Filed Under: Featured, NFL News, NFL Pictures Tagged With: Aaron Rodgers, buffalo bills, callum squires, CBS NFL, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, London, London NFL, matt lafleur, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, nfl, NFL London, NFL memes, NFL podcast, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, Packers, patriots

NFC Prediction

September 4, 2019 by nflinlondon

Who is going to win it all this year?
That’s what savvy, betting, NFL fans look at when it comes to cashing out, and buying that 1 bedroom condo in Boca Raton.

When it comes to the NFC, we have our own predictions that can help you buy that lonely villa.

For the NFC East, there can be no other victor than the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bearing a burning season of injuries and admissions, the Eagles look to thrash the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants.
With a solid running game, fresh receivers and a QB who isn’t looking over his shoulder-the Eagles look set to beat up on this division.
Take them easily.

The NFC North isn’t so easy.
While many laugh and lament at the woes of Aaron Rodgers, there is no doubt that he needs to rebound this year to satisfy the hype.
Or has the sun set on A-A-Ron?
With the Bears starting to jive last year, and a new defensive coach-we like the Bears to outlast this tough division.
The Vikings have yet to show what they ‘got’ for this season, and the Lions are…well, the Lions.

Taking it to the NFC South, the real focus will be on Drew Brees and the Saints.
Can they come back from a dreadful loss last season after such a promising start?
Yes.
The rest of the division is still in divisions, so the Saints need to focus on their home wins, as well as crushing road rivals.
Saints move on.

Will the Rams repeat this year after a crushing Super Bowl loss to the Patriots?
No.
Despite Jared Goff receiving insane money, they don’t have all of the tools that they had last year.
Add to this the shaky knees of Todd Gurley, and there are questions.
The Seahawks have made numerous changes to their roster this season, not only to establish the running game, but to give more tools to Russell Wilson.
We see this paying off.

Recap: Eagles; Bears; Saints & Seahawks

Filed Under: Featured, NFL Betting, NFL Picks Tagged With: Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, drew brees, Green Bay Packers, Jared goff, London International, matt lafleur, Minnesota Vikings, mitchell trubisky, New Orleans Saints, NFL in london, russell wilson, seattle seahawks

Primary Sidebar

We are very social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Book a Table

Search our site

Copyright © 2025 · NFL in London · All Right Reserved · Privacy Policy