The NFL returns to London this month for its annual series that allows UK-based American football fans the chance to see some of the best sides from the States in the flesh. We’re set for three thrilling encounters, with two games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before a showpiece finale at Wembley.
Ahead of the action, here’s everything you need to know about the season so far and the hat-trick of upcoming NFL London matches.
The story so far
The 2024 NFL season is just four games old and some sides are already pushing a gap between themselves and their rivals in pursuit of the ultimate prize. The Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce claimed their second successive Super Bowl title earlier this year and they’ll be targeting a third on the bounce this time around.
It would be the fourth Super Bowl in five years for the Chiefs who have enjoyed a whirlwind rise in recent years – their only previous title came way back in 1969. They’ve won the AFC West in each of the last eight years and they’ve started the new season where they left off, winning each of their first four matches.
The victims of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl success were the San Francisco 49ers, who will be looking to avenge that defeat this season. They’ve not lifted the famous trophy for 30 years and they’ve endured a mixed start to the campaign, winning two and losing two of their first four games.
The Minnesota Vikings, who compete in this year’s NFL London curtain-raiser, have won all four of their matches so far, including two thrashings of the New York Giants and the Houston Texans. Elsewhere, fellow London visitors the Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had the same luck. They’ve lost every game so far and they’ll be hoping a trip to London might turn their form around.
NFL London games
Minnesota Vikings v New York Jets
Sunday 6th October – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
This year’s trio of NFL London games gets underway on Sunday and who better to kick off proceedings than the Minnesota Vikings, who have stormed out of the blocks this season. They’re one of 12 teams to have never won a Super Bowl and they’ll be desperate to end that streak this year. They’ve previously played in it four times during the 1970s, losing each time.
The Vikings return to London for the fourth time having last been two years ago, where they edged the New Orleans Saints 28-25 in a thrilling encounter. This time, they’ll need to overcome the New York Jets, who have won two and lost two matches so far.
The Jets have played in London just once before, beating the Miami Dolphins at Wembley nine years ago. They’ll want to continue their unbeaten streak across the pond but following the Vikings’ tremendous start to the season, they could be in for a long afternoon.
Chicago Bears v Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 13th October – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
While the Jaguars will be wary of their less than ideal start to the season, they’ll be spurred on by the strong following of UK supporters that they’ve gathered over the years. They’ve played on British soil in every series since 2013 and as London regulars, they’ve developed a loyal fanbase.
They’ll be hoping that will make the difference as they look to change their luck in their two London games, starting against the Chicago Bears at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite their four defeats, three of those have been reasonably close, with only their 47-10 drubbing at the hands of the Buffalo Bills a real cause for concern.
The Bears will smell blood and with two wins under their belt already, including a triumph over the Los Angeles Rams at the weekend, they’ll be confident of securing another win. They’ve had a mixed start to the season, with two defeats in NFC North, and with the Minnesota Vikings running away at the top of the standings, they’ll need to improve if they want to claim their first Super Bowl title since 1985.
Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots
Sunday 20th October – Wembley Stadium
The Jaguars then head to Wembley for the final game of the NFL London series and they’ll take confidence from the fact that they won both matches in the capital last year against the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills.
They face six-time Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, who are on a three-game losing streak in AFC East. They kicked off the 2024 season with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals but failed to continue their momentum, coming unstuck in clashes with the Seattle Seahawks and the 49ers, as well as enduring a 24-3 humiliation against the Jets.
The Patriots remain unbeaten in London, winning both of their previous games at Wembley, although their last outing in the UK was back in 2012. While the Jaguars may feel that having ‘second home’ advantage could help them to a much-needed win, history isn’t on their side. They’ve met the Patriots 14 times previously, winning just twice against their opponents.
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