This weekend sees the first of three NFL games played in the UK this October.
The international series has been a huge hit since it began in 2007 and this year’s lineup looks to provide some of the best games yet! You can expect high scores, lots of drama and all the heavy hits in one of the most competitive NFL seasons in recent history.
If you’re new to the sport, brush up on your knowledge and check out our blog about the
Superbowl
which gives you a good breakdown of the game!
The Games:
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS V OAKLAND RAIDERS
The first matchup sees the Seattle Seahawks take on the Oakland Raiders. Both teams have had rocky starts to this year’s season with both having more wins than losses so far. Oakland have struggled to find momentum under returning Head Coach Jon Gruden, with only 1 win to a still winless Cleveland Browns.
2014 Superbowl Champions Seattle are yet to show us the championship quality we are used to, with an uneven start to the season. A tough loss by just 2 points to a much better LA Rams last week will no doubt have knocked the air out of Seattle, but maybe we will see the magic of 2014 resurface come Sunday.
Prediction:
Despite the Raiders taking a win over Seattle in a preseason friendly, I think the Seahawks will take this one – although I wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to a missed kick or lucky throw.
TENNESSEE TITANS V LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Week 7’s game sees a big matchup as the AFC South leaders, Tennessee, take on the Chargers. The Chargers are now in their second season of being back in LA. They are sitting second in a difficult AFC West division containing the lossless Kansas City Chiefs. QB Philip Rivers is playing well with a solid offence behind him. LA is looking strong after a huge 26-10 win over the Raiders last week and a victory over Cleveland looks likely this Sunday ahead of their UK fixture.
The Titans have had a rollercoaster of a season so far with lots of close games and near victories snatched away! Quarterback Marcus Mariota has struggled with consistency but with Tennessee’s defense firing on all cylinders this match looks set to be a tight one.
Prediction:
With the Chargers coming off the back of 2 big wins and likely a third this weekend, I think this match is theirs to win. But with the amount of tight matchups so far this season, the Titans may come to London with the fire we saw at the start of the season and clinch the W.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES V JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The final London game is set to be the biggest and the best as last seasons Champions the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars! The Eagles had a slower start this season but with star QB Carson Wentz back from injury that might be set to change. Injury has taken lead running back Jay Ajayi, and this could have huge repercussions to the Eagles offensive. Time will tell if they are able to find someone new to inject some power and speed into their running game. As the NFL saying goes, ‘next man up’.
The Jags have been building a strong team for the past few years and this season we really are seeing it. A couple of unlucky games have meant they sit second in the AFC South division. Blake Bortles looks strong at QB and has plenty of offensive weapons around him, but it’s the powerhouse defense that is causing other teams upset this season! Jacksonville is likely to go from strength to strength as the season goes on.
Prediction:
This one is tricky to call. With 3 close matchups for both teams leading in to this game it will be the team with the momentum and wins under their belts that I think will come out on top.
Whether you are an avid NFL fan or a total novice these games provide great atmosphere and an amazing sense of the NFL culture. Be sure to get in the spirit and rep your team by grabbing a
beanie or a cap from us
!