NFL in London

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Bears in London

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The NFL tickled us with a treat this week, as Chicago took advantage of the new international marketing areas to host the Bears in London on Sunday.

What a fun night of action, and thanks for hosting us!

Home Marketing

With the NFL going fully international this year, the league announced last year that they would allow certain teams to market directly to global fans.

The United Kingdom had six teams granted rights to perform this, with the Jaguars, Vikings, Dolphins, Jets, 49ers and Bears getting the royal treatment here.

This was the Bears first attempt at hosting one of these parties, and they did a lot of things right.

Flat Iron Party

The Bears opted to host the party in London’s Flat Iron area, just round the corner from London Bridge station.

While the area was popular when the NFL was in town, it did seem like a rather odd location given how quickly the area empties on a Sunday, as well as being hosted underneath the train tracks.

The hype was obvious at entry, as cheery marketing folk handed out raffle tickets, and encouraged fans to participate in some of the many trivia and cheer games they had prepared.
Some of the games were funny, some cheesy, and there were times fans just wanted the game back on as they battled the Lions, but the good nature of the event and £7 pints had Bears fans rollicking.

Bringing in the Bears hype man to host the event did bring a deep dish authenticity to the event, and he was genuinely surprised at just how damn knowledgeable UK Bears fans are at trivia.
The only wrong answers seemed to be displayed in the Bears game play.

The Game

Heading into the game, the Bears were a three point favourite over a Lions team bolstered by a win over the Packers last weekend.

The awkward tension was palatable in the room, as the Lions erased the Bears lead, despite the gutsy and emotional play of Justin Fields.

Despite the loss, UK Bears fans were playful to the few Lions fans who snuck in, possibly bouyed by beers, Bears and Bears swag.

Speaking of swag, while it looked like they brought plenty, it didn’t seem like it reached many of the fans, as Bears loyals were seen packing branded, paper drinks coasters into their pockets for a little bit of take home legacy.

Or maybe people just didn’t want to be reminded of a one point loss.

Bear Down Future

Scrolling the Bears forums, the main complaints from fans around the event stemmed from it being last minutes, and in London, alienating many UK Bears fans who either can’t travel on Sunday nights, or can’t afford London prices.

Rumours from the Bears marketing staff on hand is that there could be more of these viewing events across the UK in the coming months.

Make sure to watch this space, and we will let you know where and when you can Beardown this NFL season.

All in all, it was a fun night of football, and a good sign of things to come.

 

Week 10 Picks

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Another wild week of the NFL is behind us, as we head into the final European NFL game of the season.
If TB12 is wearing lederhosen, then it’s time for Week 10 Picks.

Wade & Ryan did ok in another tough week 9 of NFL picks, so hopefully they have some great picks for you this week.

If you want to hear ALL of their Week 10 Picks, then make sure that you check out the podcast here, or wherever else you find your podcasts!

 

Bears in London

As part of the home network initiative this season, the Chicago Bears have the rights to put on events and promote the team across the UK.

For Week 10, the Bears are hosting a viewing party in London’s Flat Iron Square, near London Bridge station. For all information, and to see if you can get tickets, just click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/official-chicago-bears-vs-detroit-lions-watch-party-tickets-452816013887?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse&keep_tld=1

Amons some of the things on tap for this event includes a wicked viewing party as the Bears host the Detroit Lions at 6pm GMT.

Not only will fans have a chance to win prizes, and Bears goodies, they will also be giving away a trip to Chicago to watch a Bears game courtesy of United airlines.

Not only that, Bears alumni Ruben Brown will be on hand to take pictures, and potentially table slam any Bills mafia who want to talk to him.

Should be a fun event, but expect London prices.

As far as some of the games this week, here are Wade and Ryan’s picks.

Seahawks (6-3) vs -3 Bucs (4-5)  +44.5

The division leading Bucs have 4 ugly wins, so it seems odd that a hobbled TB12 squad would be favoured over a surging Geno Smith and company.
The NFL didn’t do any favours to the Seahawks by having them fly a crazy length on a short week.
Will the Seahawks be too tired to even dip their pretzels on Sunday?

The Seahawks have the advantage when it comes to health and wealth. Their running game is solid, and the O line is finally giving them enough time for Geno to find Lockett and Metcalf.
They have 6 wins when many people figured that this would be a Seattle building year.

The Bucs suck. They have limped through games, struggled to get the run together, but at least Tommy boy isn’t smashing tablets any more.
Why the Bucs are favoured is a big surprise? Who is going to score of them?

Ryan doesn’t like the Seahawks disrespect, and is tipping them to upset the Bucs in their German home game.

Wade agrees, and thinks that Geno and Kenneth Walker will pip Tampa Bay in a close, low-scoring game.

Ryan-Seahawks 24 Bucs 20
Wade-Seahawks 23 Bucs 20

Lions (2-6) vs -3 Bears (3-5)  +48.5

The Lions are fresh off a win, after beating Aaron Rodgers and the slumping Packers at home.
While Hard Knocks may have excited fans at their prospect at the start of the season, woes are starting to pile up on Dan Campbell and Detroit.

The Bears are coming off an exciting loss, which sounds weird. Yes, they lost to the Cowboys last week, but Bears fans saw something they haven’t seen in a while…points be scored.
Justin Fields lit up the grass, setting QB records Chicago hasn’t seen in ages.

Ryan is Bearing down on Chicago in this one, as he doesn’t see the Lions being able to shoot out against Fields.

Bears fan Wade is happy that they are favoured over the divisional Lions, but still thinks that Detroit has the tools to keep it close at Soldier Field.

Ryan-Bears 27 Lions 20
Wade-Bears 24 Lions 23

Vikings (7-1) vs -3.5 Bills (6-2)  +44

Finally a match-up between two winning teams, but will they have their rosters in tack to make this one a shootout?

The Vikings are fresh off a win, and bolstered by trading TJ Hockenson in to help them with some muscle and yardage. Dalvin Cook continues to be a threat, while Kirk Cousins is feeling fine as his team cruises to an unchallenged domination of the NFC North.

Hello Josh? Are you there? Bills fans saw worry last week as Josh Allen went down to injury, as the Bills took one on the chin from the Jets.
Can the Bills rally at home to get a big W, and stop a two game losing skid?

Ryan likes his Bills to win in a tight one. The crowd could be the deciding factor here, as it looks to be a blustery one in Buffalo.

Wade too likes the Bills, but will be watching the injury status. He thinks that Case Keenum can also get the job done, and might be a sneaky fantasy add.

Ryan-Bills 23 Vikings 20
Wade-Bills 27 Vikings 23

That’s it for our week 10 picks! Hope you make some money this weekend.

 

 

Humpway There

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The final London game is done and dusted, trades have been made, and we push on to the second half of the NFL season, as we are officially Humpway There.

Anyone who says that they predicted this season needs a serious slap in the face, because no one foresaw the shiteshow demise of some of the biggest NFL franchises.

Rodgers, Brady, Stafford, Wilson and others have had a bad, bad season, while Geno Smith is looking to lock up the MVP award this season (seriously!)

Let’s look back at the week that was.

Week 8 Games

Panthers 34 Falcons 37

This game needed a bag over its head it was so ugly. From a kicker who warmed up so much, he missed, to D.J. Moore removing his helmet and getting the penalty that would put them out of field goal range.
A game that was truly tough to watch, but that’s the NFC South.
Mariota is not the solution, while the Panthers have to frustrated that they let this divisional game slip away due to stupid mistakes.

Raiders 0 Saints 24

What do you do when you have one of the worst defences in the NFL? Score ZERO points.
The Raiders have been sucking hard this season, with their D ranking at the bottom of everything.
So why didn’t Carr, Jacobs and Adams rip them a new one?
New Orleans snagged a much needed win when the Bucs and  Panthers both fell, but they still have a huge hill to climb ahead.

Bears 29 Cowboys 49

Dem boyz are back! Or did they just take advantage of a depleted and defeated Chicago squad?
Either Zeke is on a hunger strike, or Dallas is just refusing to feed him anymore, as it was the Pollard show all day.
Despite being shaken and stirred, Justin Fields and the boys were actually able to rally and put points on the board-something previous Bears teams have struggled to do.
Big win for the Cowboys, but not a horrible showing by the Bears.

Trade News

Well the trade deadline came and went, and this one did NOT disappoint!
Among some of the big trades that happened prior to the deadline.

Christian McCaffery to the 49ers was probably the biggest trade to kick off the action.
The Panthers continue to shed their previous incarnations, and San Francisco adds a breakable beast of a RB that will either take them to the promised land, or tear his ACL in week 10.

Jacksonville Jaguars started the season strong, which is probably why they made a few tweaks to secure wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the Falcons.
Having traded James Robinson to the Jets earlier, the Jags are looking to give Trevor Lawrence the speed and compliment to Christian Kirk.

Miami knows their D sucks, which is why they made the play for Bradley Chubb of the Denver Broncos.
The Dolphins have a serious playoff shot if they can plug in some holes in their backend, and Chubb certainly brings presence and play to the field.
Denver gets some picks, as well as RB Chase Edmonds who must be thrilled to go from contender to bender in a week.

Like sleeping with your sister, it’s generally not a good idea to pass players to teams in your division, but that didn’t stop the Lions from shipping off TE TJ Hockenson to the rival Minnesota Vikings.
By adding TJ, the Vikings get a nice compliment to Justin Jefferson, and another target for Kirk Cousins to overthrow.
Detroit knows that this season is over (again), and it’s time to build (again).

Chicago Bears were thought to be the bin bottom of the league this year, but looky-loo, they are tied with the Packers for second place.
The Bears starting shipping off the D early, shipping Roquan Smith to the Ravens in exchange for draft picks in 2023.
They pulled apart the D even further when they dealt Robert Quinn to the Eagles, who are looking to fulfil that perfect season.
Lastly, the Bears picked up Steelers WR Chase Claypool to give Fields that speed and height option that Mooney lacks.
The Bears might know that this season is over, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking towards next year.

Aaron Rodgers got nothing. No tools, no toys, no respect.
Maybe it’s because he took all that money?

Let’s see what Brady and Rodgers can do now?

 

Week 4 Picks

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Welcome to London everyone, as the NFL makes its way to the English capital for the first of a 3 game set.

It’s all eyes on the big smoke this Sunday, as the Saints and Vikings battle it out in north London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It’s going to be a wet and windy day with no Jameis, but that won’t stop the fans from enjoying another great game here in the UK.

With all of this excitement, Wade & Ryan bash out their Week 4 picks, in another ribald podcast of adventure.
If you want to listen to the full podcast of picks, just click here and share with all your mates.

Which games are you looking for on Sunday?

Vikings (2-1) -3 vs Saints (2-1) +43.5

Are you ready for some football London? It’s the first big game in the city, as we contend with transit strikes, the London marathon, and the wet and wild remnants of hurricanes from across the pond.
Historically these games are low scoring? How about this one?

Ryan likes the Likes here to take advantage of a humbled Saints team that’s missing a whole bunch of pieces. Minnesota has a compliment of speedsters on their squad who can cause havoc for the Saints D all day long, and will look to feast on the ravaged Saints.

Wade thinks that this is going to be a slow, grinding game. With many young players travelling abroad for the first game, London games historically start slow…and maybe continue that way.
Low scoring, but D focused, Wade likes the Saints to keep it close.

Ryan-Vikings 27 Saints 17
Wade-Saints 20 Vikings 17

LA Chargers (1-2) -5 vs Texans (0-2-1) +44.5

What the what Chargers? We thought you guys were supposed to be beasts this year? Maybe they forgot the ‘s’?
LA has struggled to achieve the heights of expectation, while the Texans are exactly where we thought they would be.

Ryan likes a get right game for the Chargers, with a chance to flourish against a hapless Houston squad.
It’s time for JH to ‘light it up.’

Wade agrees that this is the chance to feel better by beating up on the Texans, to get your head right.
The Texans have too much of nothing to be something, and 2022 will burn on like another familiar season.

Ryan-Chargers 28 Texans 17
Wade-Chargers 28 Texans 14

Seahawks (1-2) vs -4 Lions (1-2) +41.5

Eeesh, this battle of 1-2 teams is a match suited for a next day, 40 minute recap.

Seattle has been barely bubbling under Geno Smith, while the running game actually starts to take hold.
Pete Carroll needs to make some statements that the kitchen is still clean, even if the cook is long gone.

Everyone and their monkey uncle thought that the Lions would be top of the pops this year, after getting the feels from them on HBO’s Hard Knocks.
Dan Campbell is fuelled by caffeine and has the energy to rock any joint, so what’s happening?

Ryan thinks this is a good chance for the Lions to grab the mane, and the win in a tight game versus Seattle.

Wade too thinks that this will be a close game, that will start out with a Lions roar, but eventually the sea birds will sog their way back to keep it close.

Ryan- Lions 24 Seahawks 20
Wade-Lions 28 Seahawks 26

Jaguars (2-1) vs -6.5 Eagles (3-0) +48.5

Who would have thunk that this would be the game of the week that everyone is keen to watch?
The Eagles are pouring on the points, while the Jaguars have finally emerged from the multiverse with a calibre squad.
It’s the Doug Pederson revenge game! How cold will this dish be served?

Ryan is jagging up that hill, buoyed by their recent wins, he thinks that TL and the boys can shake out a win here. He likes the Jaguars to upset in a tight one.

Wade isn’t convinced that Trevor can spoil Jalen’s day. The Eagles D and Hurts’ legs have made short work of many an opponent. This one could get ugly.

Ryan-Jaguars 27 Eagles 24
Wade-Eagles 38 Jaguars 20

That’s it for our week 4 picks, make sure that you listen to the podcast to get all of our picks, with some cheeky laughs as well.

 

 

 

Week 1 Picks

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After a long, long wait-the NFL is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited!

COVID is long gone, the ballsy hot days of summer are a mere scar from the sunburns, and everything is coming up pumpkin spice.
It’s NFL time!

Wade and Ryan are back at it, making their predictions in our Week 1 Picks podcast.

Make sure you listen to it over, and over to get all the nuggets of information distilled by the boys.

Among some of the things and games the boys talk about in this podcast includes:

Eagles (-5) vs Lions +48.5

Has everyone had a big gulpy slurp of Dan Campbell juice from Hard Knocks? Be careful, it’s full of caffeine!

HBO and the smooth voice of Liev Schreiber once again lulled us into believing that slick editing and inspirational music would help make a 3 win team better.
Only the season will tell.

What was telling was how the Eagles were able to make the playoffs in a ‘re-building’ year. Jalen Hurts and the Philly running game were able to put together a respectable season last year, and they only look to get better with some key additions to make for a deeper push this year.

Detroit has been Hard Knocking it, but they still have Jared Goff and a QB bench that even the Steelers could look down on.
Great running game, improved D, but you still gotta score.

Ryan likes the Lions to lickety-split the Eagles. He thinks that the running game and speedy receivers will be too much for the Eagles.

Wade is big on Philly, and thinks that this game will show that Detroit is not the motor city that people are hyping it up to be this season.

Ryan- Lions 23 Eagles 20
Wade-Eagles 31 Lions 24

Browns vs Panthers (1.5) +42.5

These lines have shifted quicker than an earthquake at a California cocaine party.

It started with the Browns being favoured, moved to the Panthers, had no line, was even and last was at 1.5 points for the Browns.

All eyes on Baker, as Mayfield hosts his former team in an ego battle like no other.
Matt Rhule needs a win here-not only to keep his job safe, but to also not lose the fans to start the season.
Christian McC is back, and Robbie Anderson might have the playmaker he needs to gash the backfield with incredible plays.

The Browns have been rubbed down, iced, and given a little moisturiser to start their season, as all eyes and hands have been rubbing down Deshaun.
Facing the ire of their fans, and the league, the Browns have opted to let Brissett take the reigns of a very capable Cleveland team.

Ryan has Baker and the boys laying a little beating on Cleveland, with revenge hot on his mind for week 1.

Wade on the other hand thinks that the Browns and the pressure might be a bit much for Baker in week 1, with Chubb and Hunt doing most of the work for the Browns.
He also sees loads of turnovers in a sloppy game.

Ryan-Panthers 28-Browns 20
Wade-Browns 24 Panthers 20

Raiders vs Chargers (3.5) +52

Lock up your china mom, the boys are battling it out in the living room tonight!

The AFC West battle starts out in fine form, as the LA Chargers and their fanless stadium host the under the influence Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s Carr vs Herbert in a showdown, throw down!

Vegas has blown many wads over the past few years, having many of their draft picks burn up quickly in the desert sun.
Through attrition the Raiders have found their squad, adding in Devante Adams as well as some O line pieces to give Derek a wee bit more time.
Don’t forget about Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs as well.

The LA Chargers were a thrill to watch last year, as Justin Herbert challenged Joe Burrow for newbie QB you wish was on your fantasy.
LA added Mack to the D, as well as giving Herbert some supporting tools for a longer distance drive into the playoffs this year.

Ryan likes the Chargers to win, but doesn’t think that Vegas will be an easy opponent.
Too much talent on both sides to allow the Raiders to keep it close.

Wade also thinks that this AFC doozy will be close, with the Chargers having that extra spark for victory. There will be plenty of fantasy points in this one.

Ryan-Chargers 30 Raiders 27
Wade-Chargers 33 Raiders 30

Week 1

Let’s not forget that it’s week 1, so whatever you thought you knew is most likely wrong.

No one really knows what the heck is going on until week 5, so at least find solace in that if you suck a big stone in week 1.