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National Football League 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.

 

August Headlines

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It’s official, there will be NFL games played this month.
Sure, they will be preseason, but football is back baby!

It wouldn’t be an off-season, without a bit of drama-and boy did the 2022 soft months provide a lot of entertainment!

Let’s take a look at some of the big news in our August Headlines!

Deshaun

The league has finally laid down it’s iron-fist ruling in the NFL vs Deshaun Watson, and the league has ruled…6 games!

Six? Only six Why not more? What not less? What about Calvin Ridley? What if he blew pot smoke in their faces instead? Would be get a season?

The judge ruled that Watson wasn’t violent, but did still must miss 6 games in penance for his groping actions.

It’s been a long road for Watson, the League, fans and of course all of the women who have made the accusations.
Let’s not forget it all started with Watson demanding a trade from the Texans, and the owner and many fans reminding Deshaun not to ‘mess with Texas’.

You wrestle the bull, you get the horns.

No one will be happy with this outcome because it’s been such a stain over the past year.

Hopefully we can all get on with some football, and the Browns can get back doing what they do best…disappoint their fans.

London Tickets

Tickets for the London games went on sale and flew off the digital shelves.

Did you get tickets, or were you beaten to the punch by digital ticket touts?

While we have heard some truly horrific ticketing stories, experience teaches us it all works out in the end.

With a few months to go until the London games, there will likely be more tickets released, as well as circumstances in which fans can’t make it, making their tickets available.

Be patient, watch the Facebook pages and fan groups, and don’t buy from scalpers. You will definitely be sad if you do.

Fantasy 2022

It’s time for another NFL Fantasy season, which means it’s time to start doing your research.

Some fans like to do their NFL Fantasy Draft now, which makes you quite the silly sausage.

Sure, it’s exciting to be able to start making up your line-ups, but preseason hasn’t even begin yet!
There is still plenty of time for injuries, insight and idiocy to see players burn and turn themselves out of the season before it even begins.

Be patient young grasshopper, the season is long.

Buc’ing Knee

Sad news for the TB Bucs, as starting centre for Ryan Jensen blew out his knee in epic preseason form, making Tommy B vulnerable to start the 2022 season.

As mentioned above (preseason injuries) can wreck havoc on a lockeroom, as the guys you thought would be your pillars, are instead relegated to the bench.

Robert Hainsey will try to jump into the role despite only being in his second year.

Will the Bucs be using bondo and duct tape to make a 2023 playoff run?

It’s starting to look that way.

Pay Deebo

Despite being used in a utility role by the 49ers last season, Deebo wasn’t paid for his jack of all trades-ness.

After complaining to San Fran that he wanted to get paid, and not crippled-they 49ers threw a load of cash at Deebo in a 3 year deal with $58 mil guaranteed and up to $73m in specialness.

Injuries forced San Fran to use Deebo in a more ‘help us’ role last season as the team got snaked by injuries, will they be looking to use him in this capacity this year?

Not if they want to keep him alive.

There’s lots of cash being thrown around the league at speedsters teams hope will lead their teams. Is Deebo going to be too much cash to splash?

Boz Man

Chris Boswell put it through the uprights this week, inking a massive 4 year, $20.5m deal that will see him guaranteed $12.5m, and tying him with Justin Tucker as the highest paid kicker in the NFL.

It’s a far cry from 2015, when Boswell had already been cut by the Steelers three times, and was slotted as fourth on Pittsburgh’s kicking roster.

The 31 year old Boswell has ‘no pressure’ on him this year.

Would you rather have Boswell or Tucker on your fantasy team?
Exactly.

Watch this space, as we will have some NFL Fantasy news for you to make your season fun!

 

 

Wild Weekend

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And we move on in the NFL, as the wildcard is now behind us as the post season heats up.

Wade and Ryan are back with another great podcast, as they look at the Wild Weekend that lays behind us.

Have a listen, a laugh and a lather to our latest episode to see how it tickles your fancy.

Among some of the things that the guys discuss in this week’s podcast.

Big Bloated Ben

Ben Roethlisberger seems to have played his last game in the NFL, are swelling his way to his final post season game.

There’s no doubting the legacy of Big Ben, and the Super Bowls he chased and won. Sadly father time has other plans, and they involve keeping Tom Brady alive.

Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be in a world of hurt for the next few seasons if they can’t get a QB whose name isn’t ‘Rudolph’.

Fitzmagic

Fans seeing Ryan Fitzpatrick at the Bills game, shirtless in the frozen tundra all have a bunch of more respect for the dude.

Class act Fitzmagic has always played his heart out for every team he has been on, and has had a magical connection with the fans.

Knowing how loyal Bills fans are, they will probably build a statue to him, only to use the statue to launch themselves onto folding tables.

Card Carrying

The Arizona Cardinals were truly horrible heading into the post season game. They looked lost in the game, and Tyler Murray was suddenly shook by a 4 front that bugged and bothered him all day.

If wee Tyler can’t deal with these types of games and shone through, then maybe he should go back to baseball.

Arizona fell apart when it mattered, and there aren’t many signs to show that they wouldn’t do it again if given the chance.

Burrows

Joe Burrow is getting that swagger as Cincy puts together wins.

After a close call against the Raiders, the Bengals will look to take it to the Titans at home.

Fans have to admire the confidence of Burrow, as he takes his incomplete team to Nashville, for an exciting Saturday game.

Even if the Bengals get stuffed by the Titans, fans know that JB and the boys will be back next season to build on an already great foundation for this team to get more wins.

Meet Jason Bell

The Sports Bar & Grill Clapham will be hosting a Superbowl preview show with ex NFL player Jason Bell on Tuesday Feb 1st.

Initial tickets are £5, but those tickets are limited, and you will want to get them quick.

This is a great chance to ask Jason about the Superbowl, and any other NFL related questions that you might have for the former Texan and Giant.

Then event is being promoted by Budweiser UK, and Give Me Sport.

Get your tickets here!

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/oldstreet/01-02-2022/super-bowl-preview?fbclid=IwAR05_fq2P2b9sVKAlSBPGcikZnqs2_ZpnzKRdQ1QUS6PqV211Ux8X5ipwnU

Divisional Weekend-London

Looking to watch the NFL this weekend? Sports Bar & Grill Old Street and Clapham will be showing the early games this weekend.

Make sure you book your table in advance, so that you can watch it on your own TV.

Book your table here.

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

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

That’s it for our Wild Weekend podcast, see you this weekend!

17 Thoughts

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What another wild penultimate ending to the NFL as we cruise even further towards the playoffs.

With some truly bizarre incidents that went down, we offer some week 17 thoughts on the whole shebang.

AB

What can you say about what happened with Antonio Brown? In a truly sad meltdown in the third quarter against the Jets, AB took off his shirt and quit football.

A public mental health breakdown spiralled into AB leaving the Bucs and the NFL.
Whatever it was that transpired in the game, the selfish shutdown of his team was felt in shock as we all witnessed a collapse under pressure.

As Tom Brady said, now is the time to feel empathy for Antonio Brown, and he’s a grown man who needs to own up to his feelings and responsibilities.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady took an early punch to his beautiful chin as the Jets took a quick lead against the stunned Bucs.
He then had to watch in disbelief in the meltdown of AB, a guy he vouched for, stayed at his house, played with his kids.

TB12 did what he does, delivering a last minute knockout to the Jets, and offering perhaps the classiest and touching take on the AB situation. Be nice, and leave him alone.

Rodger That

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers won again, beating another depleted team at home and securing a spot in the cheddar tundra.

Making it look easy against a Cousins-less squad, Green Bay only have the plucky Lions left in a final fun blowout.

All this to lose in the NFC final.

Chase

Jamar Chase is just awesome. The rookie blasted his way to another Sunday of stats, making any fantasy final a blowout thanks to his crazy day.

Leaping over last seasons’ rookie Jefferson, Chase was a beast this season in fantasy points and looks to do the same heading into the post season.

Chase and Burrow are truly going to put on a smoke show heading into the playoffs.

Bears

Was it that the Bears were awesome or that the Giants truly do suck, as Chicago Bears romped to a Nagy-happy win on Sunday.

The Bears put up 29 points, but the win really went to the D, who absolutely trounced poor Mike Glennon and the hapless Gmen.

Chicago had a really bad season thanks to injuries, coaching and coaching through injuries, so hopefully the owners will steer the ship in the right direction.

Pats

Your friend from Bawstawn is loud on the Sam Adams again, as the Patriots are once again headed to the playoffs looking like a threat.

Sure, they beat the Jags who suck harder than a gas station vacuum, but by putting 50 points on the legs of 2 running backs, New England is solid again.

No one is going to want to face the Patriots the first round, but they won’t have the legs to vomit all the way to the finish line.

Rammy

Matt Stafford and the Rams continue to look average, as he has been completing more passes to his D than he does to his receivers.

Sean Mcvay should be nervous, as his only game plan is to rely on the legs of Sony Michel. The Rams have been iffy since they lost Robert Woods, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better.

Saints

How bout dem Saints? New Orleans put up an easy win over the ruined Panthers.

Taysom Hill was able to eek out a low scoring win as the Saints look to snag one of the last playoff spots of the season.

It’s the Saints D that really is the difference here, as them with the solid legs of Kamara could really put a dent in one of the first rounds if they can get the slot.

Playoffs at the Sports Bar

Want to watch the playoff games late at the sports bar & grill?

Book a table now if you want to watch the games. They will only get late licenses if people are keen, so make sure that you book yours now.

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

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

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.