NFL in London

National Football League in London

Wade McElwain

Week 2 Picks

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Another one done and dusted, but it all starts up again, as the boys deliver their Week 2 Picks Podcast.

So many crazy storylines settling down from week 1!
Aaron Rodgers might never play again.
The Ravens are already injured up the wazoo!
And the Bengals lost badly.

What kind of picks do Ryan and Wade have lined up for their Week 1 Picks?
You can find out all about it, by clicking on the podcast right here.

If you want to play along and bet, make sure you join our NFL in London DraftKings group as well, and you can win money every week!

Week 2 Picks

There are loads of intriguing games lined up for Week 2 in the NFL, but we’ve selected a few of the games that we think could have top betting value.
Why choose some loser games that no one wants to be on?
Here are some of the intriguing games that the boys look at for their Week 2 Picks.

-1 Packers (1-0) vs Falcons (1-0)  +40.5

Green Bay led a Week 1 smackdown of the stunned Bears, opening up a second half hole of 28 mistake points that allowed the Packers to easily dominate a Chicago team with horrible defence.
With a few key players missing, will Jordan Love and the Pack be able to lead another dominant performance.
The Falcons got the W, but there are still loads of questions around Ridder being able to spread the ball around. Bijan had a fantastic rookie performance in Week 1, but now he faces a stunt Green Bay D that shut down the Bears all day.
Ryan likes the Packers to continue their winning ways, with a strong performance over the Falcons. He’s not betting the birds again.
Wade likes the Falcons for the upset here, as he thinks that the offence of Atlanta has a few choice more weapons. Has nothing to do with the fact he’s a Bears fan.
Ryan-Packers 23 Falcons 17
Wade-Falcons 24 Packers 20

-1.5 Colts (0-1)  vs Texans (0-1)  +40

What a trash bag fest this game is, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some points and cash to be made.
The Colts are lacking the running power of Jonathan Taylor, but had a nice surprising performance from Anthony Richardson, who ended up getting injured late in the game.
The Ravens were held in check by the Houston D, until Lamar does what he does and opened the game up. Still, there was a lot of promise in that game, when many thought they would get destroyed.
Ryan likes the Colts here to hold off Houston, and expects a bad game, and a sloppy win.
Wade thinks that it will be sweaty down in Texas, but that humidity will help them and their D throttle the Colts for the upset.
Ryan-Colts 21 Texans 17
Wade-Texans 18 Colts 14

Bears (0-1) vs -2.5 Bucs (1-0)  +42

The Chicago Bears were an absolute joke in Week 1, and it looked like they hadn’t even had a preseason with the lacklustre job put in by the squad.
The D was bad, Fields looked lost, there was no running game, and Chase Claypool can suck a duck.
Baker Mayfield and the pissed off Tampa wide receivers were able to channel their focus to slip apart the Vikings last week, to give them some motivation in the NFC South.
Still loads of questions across the team, but they showed dominant and integrated form to make the Vikings look stupid.
Ryan likes the Bucs and Baker to keep it winning on the strength of their D. Tampa Bay beat the stuffing out of Chicago last year, so what’s to say that they won’t do it again.
Wade is calling for a Bears upset here, believing that all signs point to an upset. Eberflus is back on D calling, and the Bucs just aren’t that good.
Ryan-Bucs 24 Bears 20
Wade-Bears 24 Bucs 20
Those are just some of our Week 2 picks, make sure that you listen to the whole podcast to get the full value of Wade and Ryan’s insight.
Remember the World Rugby Cup is on this weekend too, and all games on Sunday conflict with NFL.
In case you choose to go to a bar, and they don’t show it
Enjoy Week 2 everyone, thanks for listening.

Best Places in London to Watch NFL

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Another season is about to kick off and reward us all with football greatness, but where are the Best Places in London to Watch NFL?
Well, we’ve got you covered with our list for 2023.

As a group who have been promoting and hosting live NFL viewing parties over the past 18 years across the capital, we have quite a bit of knowledge of the sport viewing landscape.

Any punter will tell you that after Covid, the whole bar and entertainment industry took a punch on the chin.
Independent pubs shuttered, quality staff found other work, and the price of pints continued to rise.

As promoters, we look to offer people the best value and service when it comes to hosting NFL nights.
Sure, we might hold things to a North American standard, but why shouldn’t we, when he have always attempted to deliver that threshold across all of our events.

So these are just our independent thoughts on almost 20 years of watching and promoting the NFL across the UK.

1. Home

Home?!?! What a lame answer to start this list off!

Well, not really if you’ve seen the price of a London pint recently, as they near ever closer to the £8 range.
When we first started promoting the NFL in London, pints were still in the £3 range, and pitchers were £10.
Those were the days!

It’s not just the crazy price of booze at London pubs and bars, but there is also the Rugby World Cup and Premier League to throw wrenches into the works of NFL viewing.
With many times and dates over-lapping with the NFL, UK-centric bars are more likely to NOT put on the NFL, with so many Sundays in contention.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will take place MOST Sundays until Week 7 of the NFL, with games airing between 4-10pm GMT.
If you’ve never experienced a RWC during the NFL season, then you’ll quickly find out that rugby trumps American football in the UK.
They might SAY they are showing NFL, and then bartender changes the channel.
Too bad.

With DAZN taking over from Gamepass, there also hasn’t been a commercial license on offer, which means it could be illegal for many bars and pubs to show the NFL, taking us back to 2013.

Independent pun chains have also been swallowed up over the past few years, gobbling up former sports bars, and then cutting costs, taste, and fun when they rebrand it into a corporate image.
Sadly these chains are very inflexible, and demand that promoters must increase attendance week on week.
Not worth it when half the customers have to pop over to McDonald’s because the food is so dire.

When’s the last time you threw a truly awesome, NFL party?

The best NFL nights are when you have hook a few devices up to Gamepass, and invite over some friends, foes, or just fellow fans you met on social media for a few bevies and a game.

You’ll not only save lots of money, but maybe make some new friends in the process!

2. Famous Three Kings

This Fulham sports bar has a legendary status in the city, as it always seems to be the ‘go to’ place for sports viewership.

Located in West London in the posh bit of town, the Famous Three Kings has been a perennial favourite for sports fans looking to stare at loads of TVs across a cavernous pub.

Although part of a large chain, the food isn’t as abysmal as those burgers with the pre-grilled marks on them that you find in some chains.

Like many London sports bars, it closes at 10pm on Sundays.

Find out more here.

https://www.crafted-social.co.uk/famous-three-kings-west-kensington

3. King Sports Bar-Empire Casino

Leicester Square has also changed in recent years, going from a glitzy West End destination, to a urine soaked playground for the drug addled and destitute.
Great place for a night out.

The King Sports Bar at the Empire Casino benefits from not only having loads of TVs on the go with NFL action, but also being open 24 hours for your viewing, and gambling pleasure.

NFL fans will be happy to have a place to watch the games, and be centrally located enough to be able to snag a night bus home.

The food is rather mediocre, which is why it’s good to have a lot of late-night food options to explore.

https://www.thecasinolsq.com/kings-sports-bar

4. Bodeans-Soho

Bodeans is the original Canadian BBQ joint, that has a long, and storied history in Soho.

Famous for their burnt ends, Bodeans also has two floors of TV action, with NFL and Saturday College Football on tap.
Speaking of on tap, they also have a ridiculously good selection of beer and top North American food.

Of all of the London pubs, Bodean’s has the best NFL food bar none.
However, they do close at 10pm, so you won’t be able to watch the late games.

https://bodeansbbq.com/soho/

5. Sports Bar-Marylebone

One of our OG locations back in 2008, the Sports Bar Marylebone found fame due it being across from the Landmark Hotel, where many of the teams, players and cheerleaders have stayed.
The fact that Jerry Rice could walk in, sit down beside you and order wings made it a crazy place to go.

Time has seen the Sports Bar & G bought by new owners, who dropped down the food quality, but marked up the prices, so authenticity is lacking in the food, and their pints have rocketed to top end London prices.

The bar does benefit from being on the train to Wembley, making it a good place to start and finish after the game.

https://www.sportsbarandgrill.co.uk/marylebone

There are loads of other places that say that they will show NFL, but will also refuse to put it on when people show up, or just turn it off at the whim of a manager.
We can’t recommend any of these places, as we have worked with many before, and they are horrible.

Promote Your Venue

If you’re a venue looking to promote your NFL nights, let us know!

 

Where to Stay-Edmonton Green

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Loads of NFL fans from around the world have asked us about the London games, as well as tips on making your trip to the capital the best NFL experience ever.

In this post we will look at Where to Stay-Edmonton Green, an area just north of the stadium and close action to get you to the games.

Edmonton Green

Ask most Londoners 10 years ago what they thought about ‘Edmonton’, they would have shaken their heads and asked ‘why do you want to go there?’

Like everything touched by gentrification, North London continues to bloom as the cost of living pushing people further north.
Things that use to be dodgy, are now ‘up and coming’, and you can count Edmonton Green as one of those areas.

The lower part of Edmonton is known as Upper Edmonton, while the northern part is referred to as Edmonton Green, not confusing at all.

The area in Enfield Council has seen a boom in recent years as big box stores, massive condos, and new bus routes dot the area.

Where to Stay

Edmonton Green has plenty of moderately priced hotels and motels suited for anyone looking to pop in to watch the games at Tottenham.
While you could stay in the area for the Wembley games, it will be dead as a doorknob, and you might want somewhere with a bit more flavour.

Some of the hotels you might want to look at in the area include:

Travelodge Edmonton

You know what to expect from a Travelodge, and this location near the main roads will suit you fine if you’re looking for a standard stay and close getaway.

Conveniently located, and with parking, this recently updated hotel is all you need if you’re looking for an affordable night in North London.

As of our checking, we found rates during the London games from £40 per night.

If you want to find out more, you can book here.

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/527/London-Edmonton-hotel?sb=0

Premier Inn-Edmonton

From one big chain to another, the Premier Inn is another convenient location right near the heart of Edmonton Green, and a quick trip to White Hart Lane to catch the NFL games.

Unlike the Lodge, this one has it’s own bar and grill for those of you too lazy to venture out of the lobby.
Parking does look like it is charged at £12 a day, which is far less than London congestion charges.

Bog standard Premier Inn, but you can book it here.

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-london/london/london-edmonton.html

Air B’nB’s

Given that this area of London is more residential, you will be spoilt for choice if you decide to book ahead and get an Air’B’n’B.

When we looked there were dozens of properties available for rent in the area, with some including full house rentals for those of you travelling with a group.

Where to Eat & Drink

Much like most of London, the city is a melting pot of various cultures, with nice smells coming from every corner.

With influences of Turkish, Greek, Albanian with traditional British fare, and a thriving high street, there is plenty of food to be found to fill you up before or after the game.

The Lamb-Edmonton

A traditional British boozer with loads of great pints on tap, as well as loads of TV for live sport.

If you want to grab a few pints before or after the game.

https://www.craftunionpubs.com/lamb-edmonton

Chaudhrys Buffet

Get your food bag on with a trip to this big ass buffet in North London.
Perfect for filling you up before or after a heavy night, who says no to a buffet?

https://chaudhrysbuffet.co.uk/

The area is quite safe, with a thriving high street, and plenty of big shops in case you just want to pick up a few things and eat in your room.

Getting to the Stadium

It’s an easy-peasy 8 minute trip to the stadium on the London Overground, with less than a 2 mile trek to the Tottenham Stadium from Edmonton Green.

There are also several buses available if the train is too busy, but given that it’s coming from the north of London, chances are it will be pretty available.

If you’re looking for places to stay, or need information, feel free to reach out!

 

Fantasy Drafting

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With the season only weeks away, have you been practising your Fantasy Drafting to help you craft the best team for your league?
You haven’t?
Well we can give you some tips to practise your draft so that you can get ready for the real thing.

Drafting

If you haven’t been doing it already, your NFL app has ongoing NFL Mock Drafts happening every few minutes.
Just jump into the lobby of the kind of draft you want to be in, choose your spot in the draft, then get drafting!

Fantasy Drafting on the NFL app is a great way to get in some practice so that you can prepare for the real deal when it goes down.

If you’re in a group where you already know your draft order, these drafts are helpful in letting you know who could potentially be on your team.
After all if you’re in 7th place in a mock draft, going 7th in your real draft could get you almost the same team.

Mock Drafting

We’ve gone ahead and done one of these drafts to show you folks what it could be like, and to potentially give you some strategy for your draft.

I this one, we jumped into a 10 person, regular draft. The whole thing lasted less than 20 minutes.

Round 1-Travis Kelce

With all the notable big names gone, the biggest name on the board was Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. As everyone knows he is a scoring beast that continues to cross the field for big points.
This daddy always brings it home.

Round 2-Derek Henry

Although Bijan was ahead of Henry, it’s hard to trust a rookie in a tumultuous running-back drama NFL.
Sir Henry has a legacy of going on weekly points tears, and with a depleted Titans O-line, could find Derek leading the league again this season.

Round 3-Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions running back Gibbs will be splitting the workload with former Bear ‘Old Man’ Montgomery.
With Monty taking on injuries the past few years, it seems likely that he will probably have to take another few weeks off in 2023, solidifying Gibbs as the number one RB.

Round 4-Travis Etienne

Normally we would be looking to bolster our wide receiver options at this point, but with Etienne being open at this spot, might as well add him to the roster!
Etienne will be the running force of the Jags offence this year, and should easily make the top 5 running backs of the year.

Round 5-DJ Moore

There were quarterbacks like Herbert; Tua and Murray available in round 5, but who needs a QB that early in a 10 person draft?
You’re going to get two QBs, why blow your load so quickly on someone so early on?
DJ Moore looks to thrive with Justin Fields this year, and will be the number one WR on the Bears.

Round 6-Jerry Jeudy

You’re always tempting fate with Russ’ cooking, as you’re more likely to get struck down by salmonella than a touchdown.
Jeudy has been safe hands over the past few years, and hopefully Russ can sling this young man some passes to lead the Broncos receiving corps.

Round 7-Dalvin Cook

Surprising that Dalvin Cook would still be open in the 7th round, but that’s a 10 person draft for you.
Cook is now a NY Jet, and if the team can put together an offensive line, they might have a playoff chance.
Cook is a steal in the 7th round.

Round 8-Christian Kirk

Things are getting crowded in the Jaguars receivers room, as Calvin Ridley is back to bet on his NFL future. Speedster Christian Kirk is a favourite target of Lawrence, and if Ridley starts to get a lot of looks, Kirk could find his way to single coverage touchdowns.

Round 9-Brandin Cooks

Everything is bigger in Texas, if Brandon Cooks gets his hands on it.
Cooks was a wasted talent in Houston, getting loads of fantasy points, but few wins.
Moving upstate to Dallas will see Cooks get plenty of looks from Dak, and could be the career boost he’s been looking for.

Round 10-Deshaun Watson

Rubbing the first QB out in the 10th round, we took Deshaun Watson-the top QB available at this point.
Watson didn’t look great last year, but has been a points machine in years past, so is he done?
Not bloody likely, as this could be the year the Browns sling some wins together.

Round 11-George Pickens

Pickens sure was fun to watch last year, even if his fantasy points left much to be desired.
George could benefit from a Steelers team that has a bit more direction this year, and way less Trubisky.

Round 12-Aaron Rodgers

With everyone going goo goo for Mahomes, Allen and Fields early on, don’t forget the value in a late round QB.
Snagging Rodgers at 12th is a pretty good deal for a future Hall of Famer.

Round 13-Chiefs D

With many of the good D’s gone, don’t forget, this is a 10 person league.
Even if everyone else grabs the top 9 defences in the league, you get the choice of the next 23.
It’s week by week, so don’t get bogged down with an early D. (that’s what she said)

Round 14-Greg Zuerlein

Greg the leg was available? He’s on the Jets now?
So many questions, but the reliability of old Zuerlein is a stabilising force on any fantasy team.

Round 15-Rashod Bateman

Normally we would leave the kicker to the last, but we thought the draft was done.
Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman was there, so we added him to the squad where he can sit on the bench, until that one week he scores loads of points, and you didn’t play him.

That’s it for this Mock Draft, what did you think?

If you’re interested in playing along in a Fantasy Draft this year, let us know.
We have our C League ready to be filled!

 

Early Super Bowl Odds

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It might be only August, but we thought we would offer some Early Super Bowl Odds for everyone to take a look at, or even take a punt on.

Odds On

There are a lot of great teams in the mix this season, and if you exclude the obvious favourites like the Chiefs and Eagles, you can find some value in those teams that might just sneak into the show.
Those plucky teams that snipe through on a barely winning season to capture the title and take the Lombardy.

Here are a few of our teams to look at early on. Please note that these odds were chosen in August 2023.

Ravens (+1800)

Eighth ranked to take the title this year, are the rejuvenated squad from Maryland, with Lamar steadily at the helm this season.

Baltimore loaded up on wide receivers and running backs to take the edge of LJ, and the defence has been as fierce as has it ever has been, with some key rookie additions.

The Ravens are worth a bet to sneak through the slugfest that will be the AFC, and take themselves to the big game if they remain healthy.

Saints (+3500)

What the who dat day? The Saints?

Yes, New Orleans has the chance of sneaking through via a horrible division, and the potluck Chuck of possibly moving through a sluggish looking NFC aside from a few.

Derek Carr could be motivated to light up Michael Thomas and Olave, and their running game has always been solid.

It’s all about staying healthy, and if the Saints can do that, why not take a chance on them to go to the Super Bowl?

Panthers (+7000)

Oh Carolina, are you getting Shaggy with us?

Maybe, but let’s Frank the Reich out of this situation.
The Panthers have had a solid D for the past few seasons, the running game was great, but it was the QB that sunk them.

Bryce Young has the benefit of being surrounded by a trio of veteran wide receivers in Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and Leviska Shenault Jr. and TE Hayden Hurst, and maybe they can sling enough W’s to get out into a playoff rumble.

The NFC has the best odds for crazy value, but of course.

LA Chargers (+2200)

The Chargers might be tenth favoured to win the Super Bowl, but there are still five AFC teams ahead of them.

Justin Herbert has that new contract smell about him, as he awaits the slave labour contract that is about to slapped on Austin Ekeler for wanting fair pay.

Once all that malarky is settled, the Chargers have that mix of veterans and rookies that might be able to gel together to make it work.

Keenan Allen is a reliable number one, but it remains to be seen if he can last a whole season.
Losing Herbert too would stick LA with Easton Stick, which is their back-up and a baseball bat name.

That being said if the Chargers can navigate the healthy waters of the seasonal slug, they could rally their squad to finally win some playoff games.
The hometown could be proudish.

Other Odds

Some other ones to look at if you want to take an early season punt on a Super Bowl hope:

Jaguars +2800

Why the heck not? The Jags and Trevor Lawrence could get cooking, plough through their division and get themselves a playoff glide.

49ers +900

Yeah, they’re fourth ranked, but they have a win it or else culture about them this season. Look for Sam Darnold to be a fantasy leader here via a great O line.

Bears (+5000)

Because why the hell not?

Justin Fields could ball out like a mother-trucker this season, and the D could magically find ways to stop people.

Stranger things have happened.

Who do you think could win it all?