NFL in London

National Football League in London

NFL podcast

Fantasy Draft Party

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Like many at the start of September, we held our annual Fantasy Draft to commemorate the start of the season. Fantasy Draft’s are great ways to bond with fellow NFL fans to challenge each other in your game and playability knowledge of this great game. It’s also a good chance to emotionally bitch slap last year’s losers, bow to the finite rantings of last year’s winner, and plan for the future.

Our NFL in London Fantasy Pool is going on over a decade of play, with a melange of international fans who we have met in our hosting of NFL events across the city.
There are two leagues, the ‘Eh League’ which is comprised of the best of the best, and the ‘B League’, the relegation league where hopefuls can exchange a league win with that of the Eh loser. To be the best you have to beat the best.

We held this years draft at the Princess Alexandra Pub in Crouch End. It’s our lovely local run by our mate Nick Ford and his wife and 2 Alaskan Malmutes. With the crush of Covid, we opted for a nearby place that we could safely distance, as well as support an independent establishment. They have great burgers, Sunday roasts and stay open until 1am on Sundays so you can catch the second game, and be back in Kings Cross in 20 minutes.
https://princessalexandran8.co.uk/

We used the FanDraft software again this year, and cannot recommend this product enough. It is an easy and fun way to host your draft, and you can immediately export the results to input into your fantasy app. You can also make it fun with walk-on music, custom images and funny comments that I as the commissioner can input. We teamed it up with Facebook’s Messenger to create a private group that we could run for over 3 hours. Since we had folks in Dubai, New Zealand, Romania and Scotland, this was really a fun little addition.
https://fandraft.com/

It was nice to have a sense of ‘normal’ again, and hope that all of you also had a great one as well. It’s a messed up old world we live in, & a fantasy group is like a fraternity of sanity. No matter what shit people have to say about what on social media, NFL fantasy chat is all about the BS.
Let’s see what you have to say about it Monday morning.
Good luck everyone.

 

NFC-Division Preview

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The bridesmaids of 2019, the NFC is looking to hoist one of their top teams to Super Bowl glory in 2020, but will they have enough to wrestle the feisty AFC teams in contention?
Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull break down all of the divisions so that you don’t have you. What will each division yield in a tumultuous new season?

NFC East

In the 90s, the NFC east was a spirited division with rivalries between the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins (the Eagles mostly sucked then). It’s been a while since the Eagles had a dominant victory over the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and it’s hard to see one of them repeat that kind of team intensity this year. Wade & Ryan both think that their strong D and running game will give them a winning record of 9-7 with a playoff chance very likely.
Both guys have the Giants hitting at 8-8, which means that they will have some close games, bad losses and terrific upsets. Daniel Jones has bulked up to shake up this division and inspire some real battles. Dallas is the interesting team in this mix, as they have all of the tools to be very good this year. If Mike McCarthy can get this team firing, plus the added bonus of a competitive Andy Dalton, the Cowboys could be VERY good this year. Wade & Ryan both peg them at a respectable 11-5. As for the Washington…team…guys…thing. They will suck harder than an ‘hourly employee’ paid for by Dan Snyder at 3am. Swimming out of that toxic swamp in a city that is a toxic swamp, during a toxic swamp election year will be nothing but stinky. They have some players who will make for some interesting games, but you will only see those moments on RedZone or in the morning.

NFC North

This has to be one of the toughest divisions in football this season. Aaron Rodgers is now in a ‘prove it or lose it’ position with Jordan Love stroking himself in preparation on the sidelines. The Vikings came so close last year, but injuries and inconsistency left much to be desired in a title quest. They have added some great defensive players & Cook is primed for another stellar season.
Oh those Bears. Ask Wade anything about the Bears and expect a flurry of eyerolls and gasps. What do we do with the Trubisky situation. It’s like when you invite your wife’s cousin over to stay for a few nights because you think he’s cool and lonely, and then he moves in and squats in your garage. Use him or lose him. He has a lot to prove in Chicago this year if he wants to stop having dog shit thrown at his house. The Lions are in for a tough season. They lost a lot of tools, and Matt Stafford will still be chucking the ball to Jones Jr for big plays. They can inflict some damage, but will likely whimper off as the post season looms. Both Wade & Ryan like the Packers but Ryan likes the Vikings a little bit more.

NFC South

Oh the south will rise again, because Tom Brady is here! There are a lot of expectations from the Bucs this year as the old Patriots become the new TB with a few solid weapons. They almost made the playoffs last year with Winston, so they should do very well if they stay healthy. Wade & Ryan both think that they will hit a 10-6 record. If Tampa sucks this year, how much could it affect the dynasty of TB12?
The Saints will be marching in this year with playoffs on the playlist. After coming so close in the past few seasons, they finally seem to put a dent in the NFC. Wade likes them at 13-3, while Ryan sees them a more comfortable 11-5.
Atlanta is that flashing button on the microwave. The oven still works fine, but for some reason you don’t know how to fix it. Matt Ryan has incredible numbers, but their injuries in the past few seasons have been woeful. The are Mr. Mediocre for the past few years and look to stay that way in 2020. Wade says 8-7, Ryan has them at 8-8.
Lastly is team Christian McCaffrey, the little engine that runs over teams and tops all the fantasy tables. Adding Teddy B will take a break off of CMcC’s back, & adding the wheels of Robby Anderson makes them interesting. Just not winners. If Christian gets hurt they are well and truly screwed.

NFC West

The West has a bevy of good teams in it, but are they good enough?
Many have already begun to write off the 49ers after their offseason moves. They had the lead in the SuperBowl and looked poised to lift it up, but just didn’t have the tools to beat a crushing KC team. Wade and Ryan both see the Niners dropped off huge from last season, with Wade calling 8-8 and Ryan 9-7.
The Rams saw their hype get chin-booted in 2019, with the trauma of Tom Brady’s beating in the Super Bowl still fresh on their vibe. Goff has loads to prove, and you can only rely on the defence for so long. Wade has them going 9-7, while Ryan is a .500 man at 8-8.
Arizona has a team with incredible potential and nothing to really lose. Kyler Murray was impressive last year, and could be the softmore to watch, as adding Andre Johnson makes them a fun prospect. They won’t have enough on D to stop the big guys, but they should be able to disrupt and score some fun upsets. Both guys have them at 8-8.
Both guys think that the Seahawks will crap all over the competition. Russell Wilson is primed to explode this year, provided their team doesn’t implode with injuries. They came close last year, this year the go hard.

Want NFL tips? Get in touch and we can help you with your weekly picks. We offer a yearly subscription so that you can get all the tips for your weekly picks and pools. Just get in touch.
It’s a big year of the NFL ahead, get in!

 

Fantasy Time-Podcast

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The NFL is only a week away, have you got your Fantasy teams sorted?
As every NFL fan knows, fantasy time is when you get to assemble your Avengers to take on the legion of dolts you call ‘pool friends’.
It’s nerve racking, logistical and a hell of a lot of fun.

Sadly Covid has claimed another victim in Fantasy Pool Parties, where you get together with your gang and a big board to choose your players for an uncertain 2020 season.
Who are you going to take? What position in the draft are you in? Who’s going to go boom or bust this season?

Wade and Ryan take an overview look at the NFL Fantasy season, and offer some tips to look at in each round of the draft.
The guys also talk about:

Leonard Fournette

He’s a Buc now (Wade & Ryan didn’t know that yet), so what will he do for Tampa? Is he a toxic mess? Is he washed up? Too old? Or is he just one of the drinkers of Tom Brady Koolaid for this upcoming season?

Jason Bell Dances

Congrats to our buddy Jason Bell for making the TV series strictly come dancing. If we watched the show, we would cheer you on. Always nice to see a nice guy get good things. Just a word of advice-if you cross the line holding your partner, make sure not to Gronk Spike her of added effect.

Predictions

Wade & Ryan make their win/loss predictions for each division, and some of the results might surprise you. Ryan loves his Bills to be a force in the AFC, while he sees Kansas City having another great season. Like Wade, they both think that the 49ers will struggle this year.
Wade likes the Steelers and Seahawks to put together some title defining seasons this year, and has his Bears as tough contenders in the NFC North.
If you want to hear all of their predictions, you have to listen to the podcast.

We will have more news about our upcoming plans for the 2020 season.
Listen, Subscribe and Share.

Make sure you get FanDraft for your 2020 Draft! Use our promo code FANDRAFTUK to get 15% off your pro order.

Heating Up-Podcast

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We should be enjoying the NFL preseason right now, but 2020 had some other plans. We’re still left with many lingering questions about the potential of the 2020/21 NFL season, and with summer winding down and autumn looming, it’s starting to heat up.

Wade & Ryan take a break from doing nothing to deliver a blistering podcast-literally. With an unending heat wave in London (no really), the boys sweat it out to prognosticate on the upcoming NFL.
They tackle a myriad of topics and issues around the NFL season so that you don’t have to.

What if Tom Brady Dies?

Shocking headline, but what if a high profile player dies of Covid? It’s a morbid thought, but it’s one that could be on the minds of everyone in the NFL. How will they be able to manage a bubble, and keep everyone safe?

McCoy is a Buc

Congrats LeSeann, you have now joined one of the oldest teams in the NFL. McCoy is quietly making his rounds to every NFL team, before he sets his sights on every XFL team. What will Shady being to an already high powered offence? He was set aside by the Chiefs in the SuperBowl, so how will TB12 find ways to use and abuse him?

Sky Sports NFL

Congrats to Sky Sports for signing a new NFL deal securing 5 more years of American football in the UK. For anyone who doesn’t have Gamepass, Sky sports is an essential element for any NFL fan in the UK. The new deal means that we will have more football programming on a new, dedicated channel. There is also the potential for some UK organically created content for fans. Ahem…two Canadian comedians talking NFL? Just sayin’.

Saturday NFL

If the NCAA Football season blows up as it looks like it will, what will the NFL do with those nights?
Under an archaic TV rule, the NFL wasn’t allowed to compete with high school and college games, but if all of those are cancelled, will the NFL start showing games on those nights? It could be a punch for UK fans, as those games would most likely be schedule at night, meaning we won’t see them until the wee hours. More games, more nights, more NFL. Hooray?

London Viewings

Sadly, it doesn’t look like many places will be keen to show the NFL on Sunday nights in the UK. Sports bars won’t be pushing for late Sundays in this ‘new normal’, and casino’s are a petrie dish of virus potential. We asked UK fans where you plan on watching the games this season and a whopping 90% said at home. We will be working to develop some new ways to watch this season. Watch this space.  Stay safe and keep in touch.

Podcast-The New NFL

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The NFL is coming back, but it certainly isn’t going to look like it did in the past.
Players getting temperature checks between plays, cardboard cutouts of fans with EA Sports fan noise pumped into an empty stadium.
Buffalo will fare even worse, as no fans will be thrown through tailgate tables, and a dildo-less field for Patriots games. Zero dildos.
Are you happy Covid-19?

In this safe distanced podcast, Wade and Ryan look at some of the top NFL news in this sports bereft landscape.
If tumble weeds were to somehow start rolling across our plains, these guys would bet on them

Among some of the other NFL news to discuss:

NFL Preseason

We all know how much we love preseason games! Players you have never heard of trying to make that crack at the final roster, while named players try to get their shit together after a fat summer.
The league has reduced the preseason to 2 weeks, but that could be zero weeks if the NFLPA has anything to say about it.

Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel has finally left the field. JM has publicly posted what all of us have known for years, Johnny Football is no more. Don’t shed a tear for him yet, he still has big plans.
Let’s not forget that he was BANNED from the CFL. How much of a douche can you be if even Canadian football has to ban you. We still don’t know what it was for exactly, but it has to be nasty.

Ocho is a Nice Guy

He’s got a big mouth, and even bigger heart. Chad Ocho Johnson has been giving away his own cash to people in need. He’s promised to give $245k away, and has so far delivered over $150k to fans across the states. While he may never play in the NFL again, this guy needs to be rewarded someone how being an awesome human. Give him a chance at game pundit.

Redskins

It’s that time again. What are we going to do about Washington? Loads of sponsors & investors have had enough of a BLM movement that has seen them seemingly ignore the plights of protestors.
Will Snyder and co. finally give in to the public and change their Skin? If there was any time to do it, now might be a good one.

Cam Newton

The old man has a job, which is something you wouldn’t think to hear in this climate.
Cam is with the Patriots and everyone seems to have lost their rag. He hasn’t played in a while and was plagued by injuries and weekly beatings by opposing defences, so it will be intriguing to see what he can bring to the table. A title seems too lofty.

Enjoy the podcast. Have a listen and a laugh, and reach out for anything.

Stay safe.