This October the NFL London is back with a series of three regular-season games played in London, England. The series started in 2007 with the Giants beating the Dolphins 13-10, in the first ever game in the history of the NFL’s International Series.
Why does the NFL play games in London?
The NFL plays games in London to expand its reach and popularity outside of the United States. The UK is a lucrative market for the NFL, with a large fan base that continues to grow year on year. The NFL London games are key to that success, offering UK fans the chance to see their favorite players and teams perform live and experience the excitement of the NFL.
2023 NFL London Games schedule
Week 4: Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Wembley Stadium
Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Week 6: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Game Report
On Sunday October 2nd, the Jacksonville Jaguars returned to Wembley to record a convincing 23-7 win over the Falcons, leaving both teams 2-2 after week 4. The Jags first appeared in London ten years ago and they now regard the city as their second home.
QB Trevor Lawrence was again the inspiration for their victory but they needed their mighty impressive defense to see them home and back up their pre-match NFL lines favorites tag. Linebacker Josh Allen made three sacks, while Calvin Ridley caught a 30-yard TD pass from Trevor Lawrence, and Darious Williams made a 61-yard interception return. The Falcons only response was a Drake London TD from a 15-yard Desmond Ridder pass.
Jacksonville hopes are still alive
The Jaguars will be delighted to get back to 2-2 on the year, and they will hope that London is becoming a happy hunting ground as they remain in London to face off with the Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Oct 8th.
The team started the season as favorites to win the AFC South in many people’s eyes, but two defeats in their first three outings soon changed that. Victory over the Falcons will restore confidence, and with one of the best run defenses in the NFL this season, they remain a solid pick to win the division or make the playoffs.
Is Atlanta’s season already over?
The Falcons are definitely an improving football team and their roster is better than it has been for several years. Fans hopes have risen during the off season thanks to an excellent draft and a big free agency.
Defense has seen a big improvement and there’s a talented offensive core of young playmakers including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. However, questions still remain around Desmond Ridder’s ability to win games when the going gets tough.
After two victories in the opening two weeks against the Panthers and the Packers, hopes were high among fans dreaming of a Falcons play-off run. But defeat against the Lions and Jaguars has quickly deflated that optimism and replaced it with dose of cold, hard, reality.
Could this be the Bills year
Week 5 sees the NFL London series move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium where Trevor Lawrence’s Jacksonville Jaguars take on Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills in a battle of the superstar quarterbacks.
For the first time since 2016, two teams that were in last season’s play-offs will meet in an international match, giving UK fans a chance to see some top level action. While both teams reached week two of last season’s play-offs, the Bills had been pre-season favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
This season they are again amongst the favorites to go all the way, and they come to London on the back of a convincing 48 – 20 win against the undefeated Miami Dolphins, leaving both teams 3-1 at the end of Week Four.
The Bills still have a quality roster with the potential to beat anyone, but the last three years they have fallen short each time. A victory in London could be the catalyst that finally sends them on their way.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 6 sees the Ravens and Titans go head-to-head, as another star quarterback comes to London in the shape of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Once the NFL’s highest-paid player the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019, Jackson has been hampered by injury in recent seasons.
When fit, Jackson is considered one of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks, and with Nelson Agholor, rookie Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham Jr on their roster, the Ravens are an enticing outside prospect this season.
Whatever happens, the season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and with the Bills in town for NFL London, UK fans may well be seeing the Super Bowl LVIII champions in action.
