NFL in London

National Football League in London

Wade McElwain

London NFL 2022

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Well if that wasn’t a nice surprise, as the NFL announced some of the teams that we can expect in London in 2022.

The New Orleans Saints will come marching back this fall, the Jaguars will once again host a London game, and the Green Bay Packers finally make a much awaited visit to Blighty in 2022.

When and where do all of these games take place?
No idea.
But we do have some ideas, so let’s break them down.

International Games

We know that every team will have to play at least once every 8 years in an international home game either in the UK, Germany, Mexico or Canada.

While the exact number of games each year is up in the air, we know that in 2022 England will get 3 games, Germany 1, Mexico 1, and Canada can suck it.

We also know that the general rule is that AFC teams will be playing NFC teams, so that the games don’t affect their divisional standings as much.

Mexico

Who can forget the Mexico City game a few years back when thousands of laser pointers found Tom Brady’s eyes in Patriots beat down.

This time fans will struggle with their pointers, as the QB coming this year is the diminutive Kyler Murray.

Fresh off a disappointing 2021 season, Kyler and the Arizona Cardinals will be saying ‘Ola’ to Mexico City in one of the shortest international trips for a team.

While no team has been submitted as the opponent of the Cards, we would like to think that it will be a garbage team with a minuscule Latino connection.

Their home opponents for 2022 include: Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Chiefs, Chargers, Buccaneers, Saints, Eagles and Patriots. 

Given that the Patriots and Saints are already playing internationally, we are predicting their 2022 Mexico opponent will be the LA Chargers.

Germany

As the biggest NFL fanbase in Europe, Germany is finally due to host its first international game in Munich 2022.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be heading to Germany in 2022, without Tom Brady and many of the stellar stars who won the SuperBowl last year.

Despite not having the marquee line-up of years past, German fans will be in for a real treat as the Florida men make an international trek to Bavaria.

Looking at the Bucs 2022 home opponents, there are several teams that can be discounted as potential rivals.
The Packers, Saints, Rams and Bengals all seem unlikely given their own schedules, leaving a few options as to their German counterparts.

If the format does indeed favour cross-conference play, then the most likely opponent for the Bucs would be the Baltimore Ravens.

London Games

We have three big games in London for 2022!

What games will we get?

Here we make our predictions.

Jaguars

Like a faithful old dog, the Jaguars are back at our side for the 2022 season in a Wembley Stadium contest.

Fans who were hoping to get a taste of that Urban Meyer wiener will be sadly disappointed, as the Jags will once again attempt to provide us with a ‘new look.’

The Jaguars line-up of home competitors is a lack lustre as one would think, with the Giants, Broncos, Texans, Colts, and Raiders in the mix.

Given the woes of the G-Men the past several years, the New York Giants would be out pick as the Jaguars 2022 opponents.

Saints

The New Orleans Saints were last in London in 2017, when Drew Brees was the gunslinger, and the team felt like it had a chance.

With Taysom Hill under centre, and Alvin Kamara under fire, this is not the same Saints team of years past.

Looking at the Saints home opponents for 2022, including the Bucs, Bengals, Rams, and Seahawks, the one team that sticks out is the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fresh off their own hellish season in 2021, the Raiders could probably use a trip away, to get their players to start using taxis.

So at this juncture, we think that the Saints will be playing the Las Vegas Raiders.

Packers

The latest big news to hit the Uk, is that the Green Bay Packers will finally be making the trek across the pond, making them the 32nd team to do so.

With Drama Mama Aaron Rodgers still on the team, one wonders if a London trip that he would make.

Many players are quite vocal of their disdain for jaunting across the Atlantic, and Aa-Ron has never been one to mince words.

Having Green Bay come to London is obviously a HUGE boost, and will be the most sought after of all the games.

Given that the Packers have home opponents including the Bears, Rams, Lions and Patriots…the most likely of all to return to London, would be the Tennessee Titans.

The New York Jets played here last year, so they might be given a break after their years of hustling to the UK under the Woody Johnson years.

Of course it’s too early to tell, but we will let you know as we know more.

It’s going to be a great season of the NFL in London for 2022!

 

 

56 Review

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Congrats to the Super Bowl winning LA Rams for holding out for the big win at home to win Super Bowl 56.

The Bengals came close, Eli Apple got burnt, OBJ got hurt, the commercials suck, and the whole world has gone crypto in our 56 Review podcast.

Wade and Ryan break it all down in this podcast, as it has become evident that their love of the NFL will take a hit over the next 6 months, as the game hits its off season slumber for the next 6 months.

Here’s the podcast you filthy animals.

Among some of the other things that the guys talk to in this episode includes:

TB12

Adam Shefter might have ruined the news, or even inspired Tom Brady to come back for another shot at the title with a different team.
The rumour mill is churning that SoCal boy Tommy wants to end his career playing for his childhood idols, the San Francisco 49ers.
With Jimmy G riding off to the sunset, the Niners are holding out for Trey Lance to hold the keys to their future.
Will San Fran invest in the diminutive Lance, or will they crack open the wallet to welcome TB12 back to Cali?
When it comes to Tom Brady, nobody knows what to expect.

Jackson Mahomes

Was he banned from attending games? Was he caught doing cocaine at a concert? Does he actually do anything?

Jackson Mahomes was in the news again, like a stunted Kardashian.

Patrick’s little brother (and fiancee) have denied that they are being banned from attending future games, but it would really help us all if they were.

Can you still send someone to the ‘Russian Front’?

A-Aron

You can’t mention Tommy without throwing a bone to Aaron Rodgers.
Despite his desire for a ‘Last Dance’, Rodgers was once again interrupted in his journey for trophy glory, by those pesky Niners.
Add to this a separation from his fiancee (he really hates rings), and a world of wonder emerges as to what they fate of Aaron will be in 2022.
The Packers have no money, and will most likely leverage their foreseeable future trying to chase a title like the Rams did.
Will Aaron stay in Lambeau, or will he test the waters in Denver, Pittsburgh, or beyond?
Wherever he goes, just know he’s smarter than you.

Crypto Crazy

Watching the Super Bowl ads, one would think that crypto runs the world, or at least is in the pockets of every major actor.
Big celebs hocking digital currency after a pandemic shows us just how broke ass some famous people must be.
Looking at you Larry David…

Flores

Brian Flores blew up the league when he pointed out the obvious and ignored signs of racism in the league.
Despite everyone thinking that Flores would never coach again, the Steelers did a turn and hired him as the defensive co-ordinator.
The lawsuit against the league still goes ahead, but well done on Pittsburgh for taking a chance on a guy who definitely deserves a job in the league.

London Games

We have NFL games in London scheduled for 2022! Hooray all around.
While we don’t know the exact dates, and teams that will be popping over the pond, we do have a better idea of who will be coming over to entertain English crowds.
One NFL game is confirmed in Munich, as the rumour mill is churning out that the game could be a contest between the New England Patriots, and the Chicago Bears.
Watch this space for more news on the NFL in Germany.
As for the London games, we know that there will be two games at Tottenham, and another at Wembley.
The Wembley game will feature the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a yet to be named NFC team.
The New Orleans Saints have also tipped their hand that they will also be popping over to Blighty this season, using their London visit to oblige the league, and satisfy that they don’t need to return for at least 8 years.
Who will the other teams be? We will make our guesses throughout the season.

Super Thanks

Just wanted to thank everyone who came out to our fantastic Super Bowl parties on Sunday.
Everything was full and fun, and good times were reported by all.
We look forward to promoting more great games for you in 2022!

SuperBowl 56

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The season is done, only two teams remain, it’s time for our SuperBowl 56 preview!

Wade & Ryan plop down at the mic to talk about the big game on Sunday in southern California at LA’s SoFi stadium, as Joe Burrow and the Bengals take on Matt Stafford and the Rams.

Who will win the big game?
What are some of the wildest prop bets?
Will Tupac make an appearance as a hologram?

So many questions, very few lucid answers.

Have a listen to the latest podcast, to hear the guys discuss who they think is going to win.

Among some of the other things the guys discuss in this episode includes:

Brady vs Rodgers

Both of the old men are watching from their couch in this one, as it’s the first time in ages without one of the dynasty players in it.

While TB12 has hung up the cleats (or has he?), the reigning MVP might be back on the Pack, or elsewhere to sew his oats.

The real question here for our prop bet fans, which one of these dudes will be mentioned first on TV?

Odds are that Tom Brady(-300) will be pipped over Aaron (+190).
Tommy boy wins again.

Goodell

It’s been another tough week for the commish, as racial tensions rise amongst black coaches and players who don’t feel valued in the NFL process.

Add to that the drama of player arrests, Dan Synder, and having to host a SuperBowl, it’s a busy time for RG.

The real prop bet question is, how many times will Roger Goodell be shown on TV? (+ or – 1.5).

Given that season that he’s had, there’s a good chance that he will be shown twice.

Celebrities

Los Angeles has more celebs than you can hit with a stick (please try), but the real question is which one of them will grace our TV screens first?

Odds on fave is actor Leonardo Di Caprio (+190), who will most likely be cushioned in a suite of super models to protect him from the maddening crowds.

Other actors listed include Damon (+235), Affleck (+310) or JLo (+380), proving that the early 2000s’ are hip again, as the over 40 set still remains hot.

Personalities that also deserve a shot at being spotted?
Rebel Wilson has been living in the stadium for the past 6 months, Macauley Culkin to get back at Joe Burrow for stealing his look? Vladimir Putin might look to get away from the heat of Ukraine.
How about OJ Simpson? Maybe be could drive a white Ford Bronco around the field at halftime?

Picks

So the big question is, who do Wade and Ryan have in the big game?

Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) vs  -4 LA Rams (12-5)  +49.5

Ryan is big on the Rams in this one, thanks to the pressure mounted by their top D.
After Burrow and the Bengals got pounced on during the Titans win, it’s hard not to see how Miller and AD will be all over him.
Ryan also likes OBJ to play a big factor in this game, perhaps even scoring the first TD.

Wade bought into the Bengals at the start of the playoffs and had them to make it to the SuperBowl (but lose). This time, he’s back JB to win it all.
The momentum Cincy has shown over this playoff run has been exceptional, and they show little signs of slowing down now.
The Bengals are going to start slow, but then burn and turn their way to a tight victory, most likely a late field goal.

Ryan- LA Rams 31 Bengals 27

Wade- Bengals 28 LA Rams 26

Enjoy the game everyone! Please feel free to tag us in any pictures of videos you have from your SuperBowl party!

We will be back with an episode next week to look back on how it all went down.

 

 

56 Preview

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Super Sunday is almost upon us, as everyone gets ready for the big game between the Bengals and the Rams, as we get ready with our 56 Preview. 

It’s Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals versus Matt Stafford and the Rams in an intriguing matchup at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. 

So many questions ahead!
Who will win the big game?

Are the Bengals for real?
What the heck is a SoFi?

Odds

It’s no surprise that the Los Angeles Rams are the big favourites to win Super Bowl 56. 

They were topped at the start of the season to win, and our own Wade McElwain predicted they would be Super Bowl champs at the start of the season. (did you take his picks?)

The Bengals have clawed their way out some deep odd situations all season, but here they are once again ready to pounce from the jungle onto another victim.
Can the Cincinnati kid roll out snake eyes for craps?

For all the Super Bowl 56 odds, head here.
https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/nfl/super-bowl-odds/

Which team are you rooting for on Super Sunday?

Will be you be sporting the blue and gold horns of the mighty Rams?
Or will you be orange and black like the cats?

This is the fifth time in SuperBowl history that 2 animal teams will be fighting it out, although if this was a real battle between the two beasts, you would have to give the edge to the mighty tiger. 

Here’s a Youtube clip of the real thing…kidding!

Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow’s Bengals have everything to love, an underdog team that beat the best in the AFC with plenty of speed, guts and attitude.
Despite being young in the game, Joey B shows all the poise and prowess of an NFL veteran, seemingly shredding some of the best D’s in the game with his late down conversions.
Sure, they have little to no O line, but they are still able to make plays with a variety of talent at their disposal. 

Everyone is rooting for Cincy because of how they got there, even if they lose, they’ll still win. 

Los Angeles Rams

Who would have thought that perennial chump Matt Stafford would be the dark shadow in this game.
The Rams have leveraged their draft picks to put together a SuperBowl winning team to win this 2022 season, and it’s looking good.
Despite losing an integral piece in Robert Woods, LA has OBJ’d up in the wide receiver section, and have Cooper Kupp who has been crushing the field all season.
Let’s not forget that D, especially the AD in that D-Aaron Donald. 

Donald will be chasing Burrow all day, every day on Sunday, and his sacks will truly come in some form. 

Commercials

Part of the fun of the Super Bowl are all of the great ads that go along with the game. 

While we don’t get any of these sweet spots in the UK, there is still good old YouTube that acts as a portal to the greatness of corporate media. 

Here are 3 of our all time favourite spots, as well as 3 new spots for 2022. 

Apple 1984

How are we not sure that we aren’t living in this world?

Terry Tate

The officer line backer that charmed our hearts.

Budweiser-Check ID

Hold on! Is that our own Wade McElwain in a Super Bowl commercial?
It sure is! Checking out ID’s.

2022 Commericals

Here are some of the good ones for 2022.

Colin and Scar-Jo take their cuteness to new levels.

The ageless Paul Rudd

There will be loads more as gametime takes us there.

Watching the game

As you can well imagine, most of our venues are totally full for the Super Bowl given that everything is back to normal in the UK. 

If you are still looking for a place to watch the games, you can try both the Sports Bar & Grill in Clapham, and the Princess Alexandra in Crouch End.
Here is the link.

https://princessalexandran8.co.uk/

We will also be live streaming during the big game, so that you can all enjoy our sloppy shenanigans. 

Stay tuned for all of our crazy SB56 prop bets this week!

Super Wait

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Don’t you hate that week between the last Sunday of the playoffs and the Super Bowl?

Technically it’s considered ‘Pro Bowl Week’, although I think most can agree that there is nothing very ‘Pro’ about it, and Week should probably be spelled ‘Weak.’

To break up the doldrums, Wade and Ryan bring another podcast prior to the Super Bowl called ‘Super Wait’, as that’s what we seem to do before the big game kicks off in LA on Sun Feb 13th.

Here’s the podcast for your dirty ears.

Among some of the things the guys discuss in this one.

London Games

So it looks like London will be getting 3 games in 2022, with one game being played at Wembley (Jags) and 2 to be played in Tottenham.

Rumours are already rife, but it looks like it will be the Saints snagging one of the home games in North London. Which is nice since the team is hot garbage compared to what they were a few years ago.

Munich is the city for Germany going forward, with whispers that the game there could be between the Bears and Patriots.

Black Coaches

Most of the owners are white, most of the players are black.

The Rooney Rule was supposed provide a transparent hiring policy for black coaches and staff, but it seems to pay little more that lip service to a major discrimination gap.

Brian Flores is going scorched earth on the league, as well as any potential job offers he might have going forward.

Is it worth it?
Hell yeah., if it kicks the owners in the teeth to see progress being made where there has been surprisingly little over the past few decades.

Brady

Tom Brady is finally retired thanks to Shifty Adam Shefter and his need to break news.

Players don’t usually retire during the playoffs as its a sign of disrespect to the guys still playing, which is why it seemed odd that TB12 would announce this after losing.

Shefter shafted the press, causing the Bucs and Tom’s agent to try to get a hold of the story on their own terms.

Will this leave us with an angry Tom Brady who might decide to play a season of spite?
Let’s hope so.

Vegas

What happens in Vegas, ends up in jail.
That’s what the new statement should be after another player gets sucked into the legal vortex that is Vegas.

Alvin Kamara performed his version of ‘Stomp’ on a casino patron, and now finds himself finding a Las Vegas lawyer like many players before him.

If you’re a player heading to Nevada for a party, shouldn’t you really be on your best behaviour there?

If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.
And if you’re going to kick someone in the head, wear fuzzy slippers.

London Super Bowl Parties

Where are you watching the Super Bowl on Sunday?

Our locations are quite full, but there are a few spots left in Clapham and the Princess Alex.

Here’s a link to the Alex

https://princessalexandran8.co.uk/

A word of warning if you’re heading to watch the Super Bowl at a London/ UK location.

If they don’t show the NFL during the regular season, it’s probably not going to be a good time.

There are a lot of chancer bars hoping to scoop in NFL fans, without having any appreciation of the game.

The amount of horror stories we hear from people show up to places who either forgot to get a late license, don’t know which channel it’s on, or force ‘American food’ on folks that is neither American nor food is sad.

Enjoy the game, but be wary of the imposters.

Enjoy the big game, we will have our preview article out this week!