NFL in London

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Top 10 London Games

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What have been the best NFL games to have been played in London?
Has there been a game that sticks out from memory based on how truly awesome it was?

We asked ChatGPT to detail the ‘Top 10 London Games‘, and the answers probably won’t surprise you, as it was written by AI.

Which game did you enjoy the most?

London has been the destination for some of the most exhilarating NFL games in history. From unforgettable touchdowns to nail-biting finishes, these games have kept fans on the edge of their seats. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 NFL games played in London.

1. Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland Raiders, 2014

In a game that went back and forth, the Miami Dolphins ultimately came out on top, thanks to a last-second touchdown by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The game had it all: big plays, turnovers, and a dramatic finish that left fans breathless.

2. Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons, 2014

The Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons treated fans to an offensive shootout in this 2014 game. The Falcons came out on top, but both teams put up impressive numbers, with the Falcons’ Matt Ryan throwing for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

3. New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2009

In a game that had all the hallmarks of a classic matchup, the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put on a show for fans at Wembley Stadium in 2009. The Patriots’ Tom Brady threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, but it was the Buccaneers who emerged victorious.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings, 2013

This game featured two of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers’ defense was dominant, forcing four turnovers and holding the Vikings to just 10 points in a 34-10 victory.

5. New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams, 2016

In one of the most exciting games ever played in London, the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams battled it out in a game that featured five lead changes. The Giants ultimately emerged victorious, thanks to a touchdown catch by Odell Beckham Jr.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys, 2014

In one of the most shocking upsets in NFL history, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Dallas Cowboys in a game that saw the Cowboys commit three turnovers. The Jaguars’ defense was the star of the show, sacking Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo three times and intercepting him twice.

7. Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2015

In a game that saw the Jacksonville Jaguars play in London for the second consecutive year, they faced off against the Buffalo Bills in 2015. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. In the end, it was the Jaguars who came out on top, thanks to a game-winning field goal by kicker Jason Myers.

8. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans, 2018

This game saw the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Tennessee Titans in a contest that had major playoff implications. The game was tight throughout, with the Chargers ultimately coming out on top, thanks to a late-game touchdown by quarterback Philip Rivers.

9. Chicago Bears vs. Oakland Raiders, 2019

In a game that featured two of the NFL’s most historic franchises, the Chicago Bears took on the Oakland Raiders in 2019. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball. In the end, it was the Raiders who came out on top, thanks to a game-winning touchdown catch by Tyrell Williams.

10. Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders, 2018

In the final game on our list, the Seattle Seahawks took on the Oakland Raiders in a matchup that saw two of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks face off. The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and the Raiders’ Derek Carr both put on impressive performances, with Wilson throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. In the end, the Seahawks dominated with a 27-3 final score.

That’s it for our AI inout on the best London games. We look forward to seeing what kind of delights we will get this year!

London Games 2023

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Alright NFL fans, the Draft is done, the season schedule is about to be released on May 11th, and we are due to know who is playing in the London Games 2023 on May 4th.

Prior to that date of course, we like to make our own predictions on who is going to play in London, and when.
It’s an annual fun tradition for us, and in no way is meant to confuse, or claim that these are the real games.
Although we have benefited from some great press from US media personalities reporting our news as gospel. (which it ain’t!)

Much like the Pro Bowl, this is just for fun, not to be taken too seriously, and forged under the influence of alcohol.
Funny enough we have gotten a few right in the past, let’s see how we do this year.

Methodology

No, we didn’t smoke ‘meth’ to come up with these, but we did look at schedule, past London appearances, recent team changes, and potential strength of travel schedule to determine who we think will be making it to the UK in the fall.

The London games have been moving steadily towards a two-chunk set at Tottenham early in the month, and a late October Wembley game in between the time changes.
This time change is a big part of the UK games, as it represents a 4 hour time difference between the east coast, and more appetising for networks schedulers.

We also asked ChatGPT but it got all weird and porny, so we just went back to our old faithful methods.

Again, no real science behind it.

If you want to listen to our DraftOver podcast, and our NFL London picks, listen here:

London Games 2023?

Raiders vs Bills-Oct 8, 2023

First up at Tottenham stadium this year will be the Buffalo Bills hosting the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct 8, 2023 at 2:30pm. There are no tickets, because this is a guess.

The Bills are set to host the following teams in 2023, with their previous London visits in brackets:
Broncos (’22), Jaguars (’22), Giants (’22), Cowboys (’14), Bucs (’22*), Raiders (’19), Jets, Dolphins, Patriots.

Given the toughness and ticket sales of the AFC East this season, it is very unlikely that NFL would schedule a divisional game abroad in 2023.
Each one of these games is going to be very important, and not one they want to lose out on big rivalry matches.

Given that the Broncos & Bucs were in Europe recently, that leaves the Jags, Raiders and Cowboys as top targets. The league could surprise us by having the Jags play twice in London this year, but it feels like a bit of an odd bunching.

With Jerry Jones and America’s team commanding such presence, it would seem unlikely that they would travel from Texas to London as visitors. Jones has a lot of pull with the league, and he would probably poo-poo this quickly.

It would seem likely then, that the struggling Las Vegas Raiders would be the most likely candidate to play the Buffalo Bills in October 2023.

Panthers vs Titans-Oct 15, 2023

We know that the Titans are in a building year (again), so while this might not be a HUGE loss to Tennessee home fans, they will want to see a good game out of it.

The Titans have the following Home opponents for 2023:
Chargers (’18); Seahawks (’18); Bengals (’19); Ravens (’17); Panthers (’19); Falcons (’21); as well as the Texans, Colts and Jags.

Again, while a divisional game sounds appetising, and their division truly sucks, it would seem unlikely that owners would offer that up, as the Jags played the Texans in 2019 in a craptastic result.

The Bengals, Falcons and Seahawks will be looking to tap into their heat, and would probably push back to a Europe trip after having been here only a few short years ago.

Carolina has been making massive changes to the team, which always doesn’t translate that well into fan support, which is why we think that they will be the ones making the trek to London town in 2023.

Ravens vs Jaguars-Oct 29, 2023

The Jags ended the 2022 season quite respectably after stagnating under Urban decay. With Dougie P leading the way, and Lawrence finding his form, Jacksonville might not be a chore to trek to Wembley to.

Jacksonville has some tough teams on tap in 2023 with: Chiefs (22*); Bengals (19), 49ers, Falcons, Panthers, and their division tripe as well.

The one team that does stick out here are the Baltimore Ravens, who haven’t been to the UK since 2017.
With Lamar firmly in control, and the team now ready to rock to the playoffs, it seems tempting to think that the Ravens will be facing the Jags in north London under a harvest moon.

That’s it for our predictions for the London Games 2023.
Who do you think will be coming to the UK?
Let’s see how we do!

 

 

 

Top 10 NFL Drafts of the Past 30 Years

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With the NFL draft looming on the horizon, it’s time to look at some of the best NFL Drafts from the past thirty years.
The Draft is an exciting time for football fans as they eagerly await to see which players their favourite teams will select. Over the past 3 decades, there have been some remarkable drafts that have produced many stars and legends of the game.
Here we will take a look at the top 10 NFL drafts of the past 30 years, as this one isn’t going to crack any ‘top lists.’

  1. 1996 NFL Draft

    This draft produced some of the greatest players in NFL history. The top three picks in this draft were all future Hall of Famers: Keyshawn Johnson, Kevin Hardy, and Jonathan Ogden. Other notable players in this draft include Ray Lewis, Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Zach Thomas. The 1996 Draft had some of the top players across every position. Those were the days.

  2. 2011 NFL Draft

    The 2011 draft was one of the deepest in NFL history, producing many future stars who are still playing today. Cam Newton was the first overall pick, and he went on to win the NFL MVP award in 2015. Other notable players in this draft include Von Miller, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, and Colin Kaepernick.

  3. 1989 NFL Draft

    The 1989 draft produced three players who would go on to win the NFL MVP award: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, and Deion Sanders. Other notable players in this draft include Derrick Thomas, Steve Atwater, and Mark Carrier. Check out some of the pictures of the 1989 Draft, and the fashion choices alone should let you know that it was totally different era.

  4. 1991 NFL Draft

    The 1991 draft produced many future Hall of Famers, including Brett Favre, Aeneas Williams, and Herman Moore. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Watters, Ted Washington, and Mike Croel. Hard to believe that this draft was over 32 years ago.

  5. 2012 NFL Draft

    The 2012 draft produced many top QB stars of the future, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson. Other notable players in this draft include Luke Kuechly, Fletcher Cox, and Bobby Wagner. Despite being 10 years ago, there are still a few players from this draft playing in the league.

  6. 1998 NFL Draft

    The 1998 draft produced two future Hall of Famers in Peyton Manning and Randy Moss. Other notable players in this draft include Charles Woodson, Fred Taylor, and Hines Ward. This was more of the ‘grit-iron’ generation of tough as nails players.

  7. 2017 NFL Draft

    The 2017 draft produced many impact players, including the first overall pick, Myles Garrett. Other notable players in this draft include Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara. This Draft is also known as the ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda,’, as many pundits and fans lament of what could have been had players signed elsewhere.

  8. 2001 NFL Draft

    The 2001 draft produced many Pro Bowl players, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Hutchinson, and Richard Seymour. Other notable players in this draft include Michael Vick, Drew Brees, and Reggie Wayne. This could have been known as the HOF class, as many of the players in this group were record-setters.

  9. 2004 NFL Draft

    The 2004 draft produced three future Hall of Famers in Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger. Other notable players in this draft include Larry Fitzgerald, Vince Wilfork, and Jared Allen. 2004 brought us a whack load of great QBs, which beckons when another draft like this could happen?

  10. 1999 NFL Draft

    The 1999 draft produced five future Hall of Famers, including Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, and Torry Holt. Other notable players in this draft include Ricky Williams, Donovan McNabb, and Jevon Kearse.

The NFL draft is a significant event in the April calendar of football, and it has produced many great players over the years. The drafts listed above were some of the best of the past 30 years, producing numerous stars and legends of the game. As football fans, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for the NFL draft and the next generation of players who will make their mark on the league.

Who will be the star of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft?

 

London Franchise

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Will the NFL be looking to add a London franchise? What’s involved in making a team work over here?

The National Football League (NFL) is a massive American sports league with a global reach, and there has been much speculation about the possibility of a franchise in London. While this idea may sound exciting, there are several reasons why it would be difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in London.

NFL Europe

One of the primary reasons is the failure of NFL Europe, a developmental league that operated from 1991 to 2007. Despite the NFL’s efforts to promote American football in Europe, the league was never able to gain the same level of popularity as it did in the United States. The lack of success of NFL Europe suggests that there may not be enough interest in American football in London to support a full-fledged franchise.

Playoffs

Another reason why a London-based NFL franchise may not work is the unpredictability of wild card game hosting. The NFL currently holds a series of wild card games at various locations throughout the United States. While these games are hugely popular and attract large crowds, it is uncertain whether London would be a suitable location for such events. The logistical challenges of transporting players, equipment, and staff across the Atlantic would be significant, and there is no guarantee that London would be able to provide a suitable venue for these games.

Differences

Another obstacle that the NFL would face in London is the UK tax laws. The NFL would have to pay taxes on all of its earnings in the UK, which could significantly reduce the profitability of a London-based franchise. The NFL would also have to navigate the complexities of UK tax law, which can be challenging for businesses not familiar with the system.

There are also several cultural differences between the US and the UK that could make it difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in London. American football is a relatively niche sport in the UK, and there is already a well-established football (soccer) culture in the country. The NFL would have to compete with this established culture to attract fans and sponsors.

Time Zones

Furthermore, the differences in time zones between the US and the UK could also pose a problem. Many NFL games are played on Sundays, which would mean that games in London would be taking place in the early afternoon in the US. This could be problematic for American fans who are used to watching games in the evening.

Costs

In addition to these challenges, the NFL would also have to contend with the cost of operating a franchise in London. The cost of living in London is much higher than in many US cities, and the cost of renting or buying a stadium in the city could be prohibitively expensive. The NFL would also have to cover the cost of transporting players and staff to and from London for games and other events.

Recruitment

Finally, there is the issue of player recruitment. American football is a sport that is primarily played in the United States, and the vast majority of NFL players are American. If the NFL were to establish a franchise in London, it would need to recruit players from the UK and Europe. While there are talented players in these regions, the level of competition is not as high as it is in the US. This could make it difficult for a London-based franchise to compete with established NFL teams.

In conclusion, while the idea of a London-based NFL franchise may sound exciting, there are several reasons why it would be difficult for the NFL to establish a successful franchise in the city. The failure of NFL Europe, the unpredictability of wild card game hosting, UK tax laws, cultural differences, time zone differences, operating costs, and player recruitment are all significant obstacles that the NFL would have to overcome. While it is not impossible for the NFL to establish a franchise in London, it would require a significant investment of time, money, and effort, and there is no guarantee of success. Ultimately, the NFL will need to carefully consider these challenges before making a decision about whether to pursue a team in the United Kingdom as it looks to expand its foothold on the game worldwide. 

This was a guest article from one of our partners

March Breaking

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Things are heating up in the NFL as free agents begin to trickle down, trades are made, and deals are done as we take a look at it all in March Breaking.

It feels like it’s all about to kick off, as teams start to make the moves that will determine their 2023 fate, and the seismic shifts in who ends up where start to become transparent.

Let’s take a look at some of the big news that has been happening.

Bear Down

It didn’t take long for the Bears to goose away their golden pick this year, as the QB hungry Panthers traded up with Chicago to secure the first round pick.
Spoiler alert-it won’t be a kicker that they choose.

Rumour had it that the Bears were looking for a butt-load in return for their pick, and boy did they get it.

The Bears will receive the numbers 9 and 61 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, a first round pick in 2024, and a second round pick in 2025.
Not only that, the Panthers tossed in stellar wide receiver DJ Moore, further liquidating Carolina’s potential to do anything offensive next year.

It’s a great deal for Chicago, who not only have a stud receiver for Fields to toss to, they also have the most cap space to be able to build around him.

Carr Saints

Derek Carr is off to New Orleans, when the Saints made an offer that he couldn’t refuse.

Carr joins a division that is suckity-suck at best, and has the potential to take the raw and rough Saints and dirty them up a bit.

On paper Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and Olave sound like perfect targets for Carr, but of course it’s all going to come down to coaching.

Rodgers That

This could be the week folks, that we learn what Aaron Rodgers is going to do with his life.

Of course Rodgers would save his drama for Oscars week, as he tries to get his name in the press ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once.’

The biggest unkept secret is that Aaron Rodgers will be moving on to the New York Jets, to make one of the toughest divisions in football even trippier.

With the Packers seemingly saying ‘bye-bye’ to Rodgers, his only other option would be retirement, and that seems like a harsh buzz at this point in his career.

Worst Game of Tag

It’s tag time, as team’s start to throw down franchise tags on sulky players who might want to leave.

Lamar got tagged again for a third time, bulking up a bunch of cash the Ravens will have to pay one day.
How long can they continue to drag the man along before you’re willing to commit?

Saquon signed back again with the Giants, but one would hope that they would try to fins a long term deal rather than the tag game.

Pollard and Josh Jacobs were wise tags from teams that will need to rely on their running games for the year ahead, given the gaps at QB.

The best tag of all was the Jaguars taking Evan Engram, who was a force of light and yardage last year, given Trevor Lawrence plenty of options and hope for the year ahead.

Jalen Gone

The Dolphins made another big offseason move, signing Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a 3rd round pick and TE Hunter Long.
The Rams are pretty much just dumping his salary as they skulk back into the shadows of ‘non-contenders’.

It’s a great opportunity for Ramsey, who will join a Dolphins squad that is only really missing a healthy quarterback.

Speaking of which…Tom Brady lives in Florida.

Make sure you check out our feeds this week as we look at all of the crazy free agent moves happening in the league.