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The History of NFL International Games

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The National Football League (NFL), known for its monumental presence in American sports, has steadily expanded its reach beyond U.S. borders through a series of international games. These matchups serve as a bridge connecting the fervor of American football to audiences across the globe. The NFL’s foray into international play has been an evolutionary journey, transforming from humble beginnings to becoming an integral part of the league’s vision for a more globalized future.

So let’s take a look at the History of the NFL International Games, as well as a peek into what we might expect in the future.

CFL vs NFL

The NFL’s first attempt at international games dates back to 1950 when the New York Giants faced the Ottawa Rough Riders in a preseason exhibition game. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the league began seriously contemplating global expansion. The historic 1986 American Bowl in London, where the Chicago Bears clashed with the Dallas Cowboys, marked the inauguration of the NFL’s official international series. This pivotal moment laid the groundwork for the league’s future ventures beyond American soil.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and the NFL’s international ambitions became more pronounced. The introduction of the NFL International Series in 2007 marked a watershed moment. The series kicked off with the New York Giants battling the Miami Dolphins at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, captivating audiences and sparking a renewed interest in American football on an international scale.

Over the years, the NFL has diversified its international portfolio, expanding beyond London to include other global destinations. Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and even Toronto and Tokyo have hosted NFL games, each event contributing to the league’s growing global fan base.

These international games are more than just exhibitions; they serve as catalysts for the sport’s global growth. They provide a platform for fans worldwide to experience the intensity and excitement of live NFL action. Moreover, they offer the league an opportunity to engage with new markets, fostering a deeper connection with fans abroad and showcasing American football’s appeal beyond traditional borders.

The success of these international games has been evident in the increasing demand for NFL content worldwide. Television viewership, merchandise sales, and online engagement metrics have surged, reflecting the burgeoning interest in the sport outside the United States.

Looking ahead, the future of NFL international games appears promising and brimming with potential. The league remains committed to expanding its global footprint, exploring new markets, and deepening its roots in existing ones. The NFL’s long-term vision includes establishing a more regular presence in international markets, potentially culminating in the establishment of a permanent franchise or franchises abroad.

The possibility of a London-based NFL team has been a recurring topic of discussion and speculation. While logistical challenges persist, including travel considerations and scheduling complexities, the concept of a London franchise remains an intriguing prospect that could redefine the league’s international landscape.

Additionally, the NFL continues to explore opportunities in other untapped markets, considering potential games in countries like Germany and China. These endeavors align with the league’s strategic initiatives aimed at global expansion and inclusivity, further cementing American football’s status as a truly international sport.

In conclusion, the history of NFL international games represents a compelling narrative of growth, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of a global audience. From modest beginnings to the grand stages of iconic stadiums worldwide, the NFL’s journey beyond American borders continues to captivate audiences and pave the way for an exciting future where the sport transcends geographical boundaries, uniting fans from diverse cultures under the banner of gridiron glory.

Who knows where we might expect to see the next NFL International Game?

Week 13 Picks

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That chill in the air is the cold front of the NFL Playoffs approaching, as we warm you up with our Week 13 Picks Podcast.

With December hitting us with a friendly reminder that the end of year is nearly upon us, and NFL teams will need to get their records in order if they want a chance of making the big show.

Ryan and Wade look at all of the big games ahead, in this Week 13 Picks Podcast that we are giving you for absolutely FREE! That’s right NFL fans, the cost of living might be biting down, but we like to give back with the little things.

To claim your FREE Week 13 Picks podcast, all you have to do is click the little link below.

Week 13 Picks

Among some of the games that the boys have selected as choice games for Sunday Funday are the following.

Broncos (6-5) vs -3.5 Texans (6-5) +47.5

Who would have thunk that this game would be the marquee match-up for Week 13 at the start of the season?

The Broncos are ripping off wins, with six straight and a new focus that is keeping them winning against the best teams in the league. How long can this go on?

Houston too has defied the odds thanks to the stud-muffin play of CJ Stroud. Not only is Stroud making nobody receivers look like MVP candidates, he also has that clutch ability to win games in the waning moments of fourth quarters, something most needs would die to have.

Ryan is taking the Texans at home off the back of CJ Stroud being too much for Russ to cook-off against. He thinks that Houston at home is going to break Sean Payton’s streak, and keep this AFC South division competitive with another Texans win.
Wade also thinks that the Texans will win, but not by much, and not enough to cover. He likes the Broncos to frustrate Houston with big running plays, and a chess match of D to counter Stroud’s legs.
Ryan-Texans 27 Broncos 21
Wade-Texans 24 Broncos 23

-2.5 49ers (8-3) vs Eagles (10-1)  +47.5

Batten down the hatches and put your sofa in reclining position, it’s time for the best game of the weekend in this epic Sunday night NFC showdown.
San Fran has been a dominant force in the division, stomping their way towards a playoff spot. The D has been bolstered, McCaffery keeps motoring and Brock Purdy is sufficient enough to hit his receivers in the middle of the field. Will it be enough though?
Philly are fresh off their Super Bowl rematch in which they choked out and frustrated a Patrick Mahomes, then a stunning comeback against the Bills last week. Anyone else in the AFC want a piece of the Eagles? Didn’t think so.
Ryan believes that this is the week that Philly gets their tush-pushed by a superior team, that team being the 49ers. He thinks Christian and that D will be too much for Philly in a stunning upset.
Wade sees the Eagles at home, their momentum, and a San Francisco squad that isn’t there yet. They still get points scored on them in the mid-field, and those 3 losses came because of their inability to rally when they need to get back in it. Wade is taking the Eagles at home.
Ryan-49ers 33 Eagles 27
Wade-Eagles 28 49ers 26

Other Picks

The boys also have some other picks and upsets that they want you to tuck into your pocket, and maybe slap onto a betting app if you’re feeling so ticklish.

Ryan

-Patriots COVER against the Chargers
-Cardinals COVER against the Steelers
-Titans UPSET the Colts
-Washinton to COVER versus the Dolphins
-Packers COVER against the Chiefs

Wade

-Jets UPSET the Falcons
-Cardinals COVER against the Steelers
-Titans UPSET the Colts
-Panthers UPSET the Bucs
-Browns UPSET the Rams
That’s it for our Week 13 Picks, make sure that you listen to the whole podcast, and share it with your friends and enemies. Especially them.

Week 10 Picks

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We’re off to Frankfurt for the last of the European NFL games, as we bring you our Week 10 Picks podcast.

Germany gets to delight themselves in a Colts vs Patriots gridiron battle for the ages, or just a low-scoring affair that is buoyed by the lovely lyrics of the Frankfurt faithful.
We also have some great games on tap for Sunday, as well as some truly horrible matches on offer, as we dig into the Week 10 picks.

To listen to Ryan and Wade ramble on for the whole podcast, make sure that you click here to hear it all. Make sure that you share and care this with your NFL friends, so they too can enjoy NFL mediocrity.

With a holy host of games to look at in our Week 10 picks, let’s look at some of the top games that the guys find some traction in heading into Sunday.

-1.5 Colts (4-5) vs Patriots (2-7)  +43.5

Apologies Germany, not since David Hasselhoff topped the charts has a bigger ‘sorry’ been due to the Germans than the game lined up for Sunday.
Minshew Mania is primed for Movember in this match, as the Colts continue to limp along after Anthony Richardson went down to injury. Indianapolis continues to stay in games, even if there are ones they have no place being in. Jonathan Taylor is back though, and they have some easy options at wide receiver.
Someone pick up the phone, because it looks like Bill Belichick is calling it in this season.
Gone are the tablet throws, and they are replaced on X videos of Bill doing the sneaky ‘walk of shame’ from some Boston moms house.
The Patriots are a shell of their former selves, and to most people in the league that is followed by a chuckle.
Ryan likes Belichick to grind down the Colts in this one, and schnitzel out a victory against Minshew. He’s calling for the Patriots to Frankfurt an upset.
Wade is low-scoring this affair in favour of the Colts, with both sides opting for the running game in this new Euro turf.
Ryan-Patriots 17 Colts 15
Wade-Colts 18 Patriots 16

-3 49ers (5-3) vs Jaguars (6-2)  +46

San Fran has had a three game slide that hasn’t been Purdy, but adding Chase Young to that tremendous defence is going make them a Cerberus up front.
Deebo is back, and Brock has had a bye week to set the game plan right for the final stretch.
How ’bout them Jags? What people had hoped has come to fruition as Trevor Lawrence is playing like a big time NFL QB now, and Travis Etienne has been ripping holes like moths through cashmere.
They D has also stepped up with Josh Allen keeping his name sake, although they have issues on the O line.
Ryan likes the Jacksonville Jaguars here for a big upset, as he thinks the home faithful will help rally, and Brock Purdy will sputter.
Wade likes the Niners to rebound and put another W up with a statement performance. He thinks the D will be all over Trevor, and the Jags will struggle to get an offence going.
Ryan-Jaguars 27 49ers-24
Wade-49ers 28 Jaguars 20
As far as some other top tips, the guys have the following that might be of interest to your wagering ways.

Ryan

  • Browns upset the Ravens and WIN!
  • Bengals barely beat Texans who COVER
  • Chargers beat the Lions for the WIN!
  • Washington beats Seahawks for the WIN!

Wade

  • Saints beat the Vikings for the WIN!
  • Titans upset the Bucs for the WIN!
  • Packers keep it close with the Steelers and COVER
  • Broncos threaten the Bills and COVER
That’s it for our Week 10 Picks, make sure that you follow us on our socials, and keep sharing the love.
If you want to join Wade and Ryan on the podcast, reach out!
We’re always looking for fun and unique NFL fans who might have something to say, or just to help promote a community cause.

Week 4 Picks

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Welcome to London NFL fans, as we discuss the Falcons Jaguars game in our Week 4 Picks podcast.

Wade and Ryan are excited to see the first NFL game of the European leg, and as the Ryder Cup has show us so far that Europe has its own winning ways.

A train and tube strike is threatening to chunk away a good selection of fans for this game sadly, so hopefully many of these late tickets will get scooped up.
All in all, it looks to be another consistent NFL London game, with low scoring and wide jersey dispersion.
The amazing UK fans more than make up for it all, and it will truly be a fun experience.

If you want to listen to the guys go off on their podcast, all you have to do is click this link here.

Among some of the games the guys look at in this episode includes:

Falcons (2-1) vs -3 Jaguars (1-2)  +43

It’s the first of the 2023 London NFL games as the Atlanta Falcons visit the home town Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley stadium.
Despite the fact that London has no signs that the NFL is in town, apparently this game is still going ahead.
Atlanta has looked limp in their run only offence, with Desmond Ridder either not living up to his potential, or not having as much as everyone thought.
Jacksonville has a had a struggling start to the season, no thanks to their offensive line which has seen Trevor Lawrence harassed more than he’s ever been.
Ryan thinks that this game will be another London stinker, with low points and even lower intensity.
Wade is also calling for a terribly low scoring game, as teams historically take time to adjust to being in the GMT.
Ryan-Jaguars 24 Falcons 17
Wade-Jaguars 18 Falcons 14

Dolphins (3-0) vs -2.5 Bills (2-1)  +53.5

Miami shocked the shakes out of the league last week by pounding the poor Broncos with 70 points, as they continue to load up on points. But they still haven’t face a really tough D up to this point.
Buffalo are favoured by 2.5 points against Miami? Many fans think this is an insult, given the Bills struggling in their first 2 games.
Ryan is big on his Bills, and likes the boys in Western New York to choke out the Dolphins with their fast front D.
Wade agrees with Ryan, and thinks that Miami will get a touch welcome from the Bills, who will finally give Tua that threat to his MMA training.
Ryan-Bills 31 Dolphins 27
Wade-Bills 30 Dolphins 26

Rams (1-2) vs -1 Colts (2-1)  +46.5

Los Angeles Rams took a tough loss to the Bengals in week 3, losing a few more defensive players in the process. Matt Stafford is playing with renewed confidence, thanks to some speedy new receivers who have stepped up.
The Colts are 2-1 with our Jonathan Taylor, and Matt Ryan. The last name isn’t as surprising, but the play of Anthony Richardson is. Back from injury, Richardson could thrive in fantasy points against an LA  team playing with only 4 days rest.
Ryan likes the Rams to take out the Colts here, with Matt Stafford finding some holes in this Indianapolis home team.
Wade likes Richardson to use his legs and find Pittman for a few scores, as he likes the Colts to dominate the poor, tired Rams.
Ryan-Rams 21 Colts 20
Wade-Colts 23 Rams 18
Among some of the other top picks that the guys look at in these Week 4 Picks include:

Ryan

  • Tampa Bay covers against the Saints
  • Bengals beat the Titans who cover
  • Seahawks beat the Giants

Wade

  • Texans upset the Steelers
  • Bears beat the Broncos
  • Patriots cover close against the Cowboys

That’s it for our Week 4 Picks podcast, make sure that you listen to the whole thing and share it with your friends.

To everyone attending the London game at Wembley stadium this Sunday, have fun! It looks like it will be a sunny day despite the slowdown in traffic.

 

Promote Your NFL Nights

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Are you a UK pub, bar or club who is looking to promote your NFL nights?
Then reach out, and we can help you promote your weekly NFL showings to millions of fans across the UK and Europe.

At NFL in London, we know that having a good place to watch the games with your friends is key, as well as some good food, and reasonably priced drinks.
That’s why we’re offering bars and pubs the opportunity to promote your NFL evenings across our social profiles.

Big Reach

With a weekly reach of over 25M across Europe, our NFL in London socials are the perfect place to target NFL fans in the UK, as well to showcase your American football offerings for the fans.

Facebook has 26k+ Likes, and 20k Followers on our main page, with another 2k on our Groups.
X (Twitter) brings in 3.5k followers, with another 1.5k on Instagram.
Add in the 10k per month in website traffic, 30k per month in podcast listeners, and you can hit a huge swath of NFL fans across Great Britain.

Events

To help get the word out, we can also promote your weekly NFL viewing parties through our website, and Facebook pages, so that fans can seamlessly book a table at your location with ease.

By hosting these regular Sunday events, you’re demonstrating fans that you are committed to showing the games all season, and they don’t have to worry about coming for the 6pm matches, and cricket is on.

We’re also looking to work with like-minded bars for the 2023 London NFL games, so make sure you get in touch!

Commitment

We do ask from the bars we work with that there is a commitment to showing these NFL nights, and that you’re not going to advertise it, and then there’s no games.
That pisses off NFL fans, and happens too often.

Some of the questions we will have for venues includes:

  • Are you showing the NFL all season, or is this just a whim to get in fans?
  • How many games are you showing? How many TVs? How late are you open?
  • Are there any special deals for NFL fans across food, drink, seating etc?
  • Do you have DAZN, or are you showing just Sky games?

We want to help you deliver the best fan experience for NFL viewing, so let us help you finesse your NFL nights to make them more authentic.

Packaging

As much as we appreciate the massive pub chains asking for us to ‘help spread the word’, you’re making money off of this, so don’t expect free advertising.

You get what you pay for, and we’re happy to create bespoke packages for any bar or pub to help you pack your place with NFL fans, with prices starting from £5 per week.

Bigger packages can include more marquee level weekly promotions, appearances and ads on our podcasts, as well as dedicated spaces on our website to promote your location.

Subscribing bars will also be added to our weekly calendar, so that fans can directly access your venue and book themselves in.

We also have options to help promote the London NFL games, Thanksgiving, playoffs and the Super Bowl, as well as live podcast recordings with NFL celebrities live from your pub.

NFL in London frequently works with UK betting companies who like to do ‘pub takeovers’, and as such can your location get massive exposure and highly elevated NFL viewing events.

Get in Touch

So what are you waiting for?

If your bar or pub wants to promote your NFL nights, get in touch and we can work out a reasonable package to help get football bums in seats every week.

Are you committed to a great 2023 season?
We are!

Feel free to send us an email, at mapleyankeesports@gmail.com