NFL INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2021 - MIAMI DOLPHINS @JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS [Sunday 17th October]

The new NFL season has reached week six, and this weekend we will have the second of the two NFL International London Games, they are both being held at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium (pictured below) over the these past two Sunday afternoon's. Let's get into the second game and it's the Miami Dolphins against the Jacksonville Jaguars which will be played this Sunday 17th October and kick off will be at 2:30pm Uk time this match will be shown LIVE on the BBC 2 channel this afternoon. 

The new stadium still on the old site of White Hart Lane has a capacity of 62,062, making it one of the largest stadiums in the English Premier League and the largest club stadium in London. It has been designed with the NFL in mind, a removable pitch, unrestricted sightlines for the fans, great atmosphere and will be host for at least 10 years with the likelihood of a UK Franchise in the future.

Sunday 17th October
Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Another sell out crowd is expected for these popular matches and kick off will be at 2:30pm (Uk Time). 

Current season record 

  Miami Dolphins
    - P5 W1 L4 F79 A154
  Jacksonville Jaguars
    - P5 W0 L5 F93 A152

Week 6 of the regular season and while both teams are "away" in London technically this is a home fixture for Miami Dolphins of the AFC East Division. The Dolphins with head coach Brian Flores calling the plays from the side lines. Miami had been missing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, during Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa suffered an apparent rib injury early in the game, and was carted off the field on a motorized stretcher. He was later ruled out the rest of the game as the Dolphins lost 35–0. Tagovailoa was later ruled out for the Dolphins Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders and then placed on injured reserve on September 25, 2021. If he's still unlikely to feature then Jacoby Brissett should step in, he signed with the Dolphins as a free agent prior to the 2021 season. 

Miami played against Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, and were soundly beaten 45-17 by the current Champions they will arrive with a losing record so far for the season after week five (W1-L4) in the AFC East. The Dolphins’ defence boasts one of the top cornerback duos in all of football with Byron Jones and Xavien Howard, but both have been struggling with injuries recently, so look out for Noah Igbinoghene taking the step up and needs to show what he can do. Their offence is yet to fire but the pair of Mike Gesicki (Tight End) and DeVante Parker (Wide Receiver) would seem to be the focus.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South) led by head coach Urban Meyer who is in his first season with the Jaguars, and is looking likely to lose that position as recent social media scandals means his short tenure is already at stake, the losing record won't help that either. Also in his first season is their starting Quarterback Trevor Lawrence the 22yo was the first draft pick in 2021 and finding life difficult with the Jaguars as he learns. They have a losing record having struggled most of last season too, maybe a trip to London can spark some revival. Last weekend they were home against Tennessee Titans losing again 37-19 and now have a 0-5 losing record for the season so far. This will be a difficult game for them as they pack their kit for a trip to London against the Dolphins. I hope we will see an open game, and hopefully it'll be full of exciting high scoring plays. Key players to watch wide receivers Tyron Johnson and Marvin Jones Jr, while the defence has experience with the likes of Adam Gotsis and Malcolm Brown, can they get their first win of the season while in London?

Both teams will then have a bye week [week 7] to recover from their travels following these international matches which is a common theme to these London games.

Previous visits to London?

Jacksonville’s seven-season run of playing in the UK was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic last year, but they return to face a Miami outfit improving quickly under the tutelage of Brian Flores. Jaguars have a W3 L4 record here in London but have a 10 years deal to appear each season and I hope they continue long after that. The Dolphins record is not that much better W1 L4 they are making a fifth appearance in London and take on a Jaguars side strengthened by new head coach Urban Meyer and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, they will be looking to score only their second win in London.

It will be a full house and the crowd will be roaring both teams home. Expect the stadium to be full of shirts of ALL NFL teams (there might be a few Tottenham Hotspur fans around too I suspect). We will aim to keep a brief summary of each quarter as the game progresses, should be a great start to this series of UK fixtures which will surely grow until we have our own regular season NFL franchise. Also ensure you catch all the build up and highlights of matches played earlier on their regular Saturday night NFL Show with Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora joining in the fun this season - have a great day all. 

Neither side are in particular great form coming into this so I'm going for a surprise Jacksonville first win of the season and over 46+ points in the match, also backing the over 23+ points score at half time too. QB Trevor Lawrence to score a touchdown himself is 10/3 and worth a go too.

1st Quarter;
Jacksonville Jaguars kick us off this afternoon with kicker Logan Cooke standing in for the injured Josh Lambo, the kick reaches the end zone so it's a touchback and the Dolphins will start on their own 25 yard line. Tua Tagovailoa does start today even if he is still carrying a rib injury but is busy with the pass offense moving the Dolphins up the field and into the red zone with the opening drive, including a run himself to the six yard line. Jaylen Waddle runs it in for the opening touchdown score here in London. 13 play drive, for 85 yards. Over to the Jaguars for their first drive and time to see what first draft pick Trevor Lawrence can do, good first play by Jamal Agnew picking up 24 yards for a first down. Then another throw to Dan Arnold for 19 yards to take the Jaguars inside the 30 yard line of the Dolphins. Unable to take full advantage they have to settle for a field goal by Matthew Wright from 40 yards and it's 7-3. Back with the Dolphins for their second drive from their 19 yard line, Mike Gesicki picks up a big gain to the 40yd line. Tua goes off at 3rd down and replaced by Jacoby Brissett who immediately throws a completion to Durham Smythe for 25 yards, less than a minute to play in the first quarter.

2nd Quarter;
Continuing their second drive, the Dolphins are stopped in the red zone and have to settle for a Jason Sanders 33 yard field goal to extend their lead 10-3. Big penalty on the start of the Jaguars next drive really doesn't help them get away and they soon have to punt for the first time today. Miami get it back on their own 35 yard line make a little progress but have to punt it away themselves, a let off for Jacksonville, who will have it again on their own 13 yard line. No joy again for Lawrence and a poor punt means that Miami have it inside their opponents half. They go for it on 4th and 2 and succeed giving them another chance inside the red zone again, more missed opportunities and another Sanders field goal is all they have show for this drive 13-3. Jaguars lucky not to be well behind and really need a score before half time to keep them in the game. Lawrence starts to move things, securing a first down for a change, and will need to do something to give their defence a rest. Great run by James Robinson 28 yard gain is wiped off by an offensive penalty call. These penalties are killing their efforts so far, but they do make another first down on the next play and move inside the Dolphins half, unable to make any more movement and the penalty takes them out of reasonable field goal range too. Cooke punts it away again to the Miami 3yd line and we've just over two mins of the first half left. Lawrence also has to go for it on a long 4th and 6 but make it for a first down with less than a minute left, needing a score here and a long thrown to Marvin Jones in the end zone and it's complete. 13-10 with the extra point good.
H/T Score;   Miami Dolphins  13 - 10  Jacksonville Jaguars.

3rd Quarter;
Jacksonville will receive the ball in the second half, very much game on. Only takes five plays to move it 65yds and score a touchdown from James Robinson right after he makes a tremendous 24yd run to the 1yd line, and the Jaguars have the lead. Miami start to struggle with big penalties too now and they have to punt away on their opening drive of this half, ball back with the Jaguars, who can try and put further distance between the two if they score. Robinson is enjoying this half and keeps picking up rushing yards to secure more first downs, even QB Lawrence is getting moving too and picks up 12yds for another 1st down, they are quickly at the Miami 32yd line now, don't look like they will stop now. Well the first turnover of the game, Lawrence has the ball battered out of his hands and Miami pounce on the ball ... but the very next play Tua throws an interception to give it straight back, Nevin Lawson able to jump and take in a simple catch to an under powered throw. All going Jaguars way now with barely a minute left in the third quarter.
4th Quarter;
Jacksonville start the final quarter with the ball again on the Miami 16yd line. They risk a play on 4th down and 2, but fail to make it and the gamble fails it's back with Miami, should have kicked the field goal there, bad call. Two big runs from Mike Gesicki quickly gets Miami up to the half way line, but they'll need a touchdown to regain the lead here. Jaylen Waddle goes in for the touchdown from 2yds after more penalty calls by the Jacksonville defence. 20-17 in favour of Miami but plenty of time in the 4Q here and game is tight. Miami fail with back to back challenges and lose two time outs as a result, Jacksonville have the ball on their 20yd line, and three points down. Robinson gets them a first down to move the Jags forward again, he's had a solid game so far. Important play on 3rd and 9 and a catch on the side lines by Marvin Jones picks up 20yds. They have to settle for a 54yd field goal to level up the game, still just under four minutes to go. They stop the Miami offense short of a first down but cannot make it count as Lawrence gets sacked for a loss, 4th and long and looking at a 60+ yard field goal, or a huge final 'hail mary' play? Miami burn their final time out but I think we are heading for overtime now ... or are we as Jacksonville gain 9yds on a quick catch and time out which allows them to then score a last second winner with a 53yd field goal to end their huge losing run here in London.
F/T Score;  Miami Dolphins  20 - 23  Jacksonville Jaguars.

Only the two games this season here in London, hopefully we will see a return to more fixtures this side of the pond, always packed out, usually very entertaining and everything I hear from the players that have come is that they look forward to the visit too.

Jacksonville win at last, a last second winning field goal, they might now be 1-5 but that's a huge win for the rookie QB. 

NFL INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2021 - NY JETS @ ATLANTA FALCONS [Sunday 10th October]

The new NFL season is a month in but this weekend we will have the first of the two NFL International London Games, they are both being held at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium (Below) over the coming two Sunday afternoon's. Let's get straight into the opening game and it's the New York Jets against the Atlanta Falcons which will be played this Sunday 10th October and kick off will be at 2:30pm there will be highlights of this game shown on BBC late in the evening. 

The new stadium still on the old site of White Hart Lane has a capacity of 62,850, making it one of the largest stadiums in the English Premier League and the largest club stadium in London. It has been designed with the NFL in mind and will be host for at least 10 years with the likelihood of a UK Franchise in the future. 

Sunday 10th October
NY Jets vs Atlanta Falcons @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The last meeting back in August 2019 saw a win for the NY Jets 22-10. Should be another sell out crowd is expected for these popular matches and kick off will be at 2:30pm (Uk Time). 

Current season record 

  New York Jets
    - P4 W1 L3 F47 A94
  Atlanta Falcons
    - P4 W1 L3 F78 A128

Head Coach - Arthur Smith

Week 5 of the regular season and while both teams are "away" in London technically this is a home fixture for Atlanta Falcons of the NFC South Division. The Falcons with head coach Arthur Smith calling the plays from the sidelines will have experienced Quarterback Matt Ryan leading things for the offence on the field of play. Atlanta played against the Washington Football Team last weekend (losing 34-30) and arrive with a losing record so far for the season after week four (W1-L3) in the NFC South. Atlanta Falcons key players to watch (other than the QB Matt Ryan) include in the defensive unit A.J. Terrell is the clear top corner for Atlanta, he is a player they should build around for years to come. He has recovered from a concussion suffered in week two on an athletic play made by him. Grady Jarrett joins in at defensive tackle. The offence include two good running backs in Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson.

The New York Jets (AFC East) led by head coach Robert Saleh who is in his first season with the Jets, and that also applies to their starting Quarterback Zach Wilson who was the second draft pick and finding life difficult with the Jets as he learns. They have a losing record having struggled last season too, maybe a trip to London can spark some revival. Last weekend they were home against Tennessee Titans winning in overtime [27-24] and have a 1-3 losing record for the season so far. This will be a difficult game for them as they pack their kit for a trip to London against the Falcons. I hope we will see an open game, and hopefully it'll be full of exciting high scoring plays. Key players to watch (other than the QB) first of all in the defensive unit Quinnen Williams, who plays as a defensive tackle with the experienced Marcus Maye at safety. The offensive side ought to see Mekhi Becton, offensive lineman and Corey Davis, wide receiver. 

Both teams will then have a bye week [week 6] to recover from their travels following these matches.

Previous visits to London?
Atlanta Falcons (NFC South) have been involved in one previous game at Wembley, a narrow defeat by the Detroit Lions (22-21) in 2014. This is also only the second international series game that the New York Jets (AFC East) will have played, nearly 84,000 saw them here in London six years ago at Wembley when they beat Miami Dolphins (27-14) back in October 2015.

It will be a full house and the crowd will be roaring both teams home. Expect the stadium to be full of shirts of ALL NFL teams (there might be a few Tottenham Hotspur fans around too I suspect). We will aim to keep a brief summary of each quarter as the game progresses, should be a great start to this series of UK fixtures which will surely grow until we have our own regular season NFL franchise. Also ensure you catch all the build up and highlights of matches played earlier on their regular Saturday night NFL Show with Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora joining in the fun this season - have a great day all. 

I'm going for an Atlanta Falcons win and over 42+ points in the match, also backing the over 21+ points score at half time too. 

1st Quarter;
The New York Jets kick off in London as Matt Ammendola sends the ball into the Atlanta end zone so the Matt Ryan and his Falcons offence begin on their 25 yard line. Ryan gets the Falcons moving and a big sign from them as they go for it on fourth-and-one and it's just a give to Cordarelle Paterson who barges to the first down and a bit extra in a powerful run from Atlanta. The drive fails at the 11yd line though and they have to settle for an opening field goal, kicker Younghoe Koo is successful from 31yds 3-0 falcons. Zach Wilson has no joy on his opening drive and the Jets are forced to punt early doors, back with the Falcons again. Matt Ryan executes a 10 play drive for 87 yards which culminates in a short right pass to Kyle Pitts from 2 yards for the touchdown, Atlanta go 10-0 ahead in the opening quarter. The Jets just cannot secure a first down and again punt it away as the first quarter ends. 

2nd Quarter;
The Falcons have the ball at the start of the second quarter, on their own 23yd line. Wasting no time at all they reach the Jets 17yd line with the help of some penalties and a great catch by Kyle Pitts and look set to extend their lead already. Pass is complete to Hayden Hurst for another touchdown, the extra point is good and that's 17-0 now. Still no first down for New York as Wilson buries a pass into the ground on the first play then hauls one long for Corey Davis on second down but it's picked off by Jaylinn Hawkins. That's Wilson's ninth interception of his short NFL career, just five games in, clearly frustrated at the Jets' lack of offense thus far today. Atlanta with the ball again, but not for long as Hayden Hurst fumbles a pass from Ryan and it's back with the Jets, perhaps a bit of fortune at last for them. Yeah at last a first down play for Wilson, passing 14yds to Corey Davis, and more as the Jets finally start to move the chains regularly up to the Falcons 16yard line now, three minutes left in the half can the Jets get something no the board here? Stopped short of the goal line and having to settle for a field goal instead from 31yds by Matt Ammendola. Still two minutes to go and that's enough time to get the Falcons back down into the Jets half, where with 2 seconds left on the half kicker Koo completes a 52 yard field goal to end the half 3-20 in the Falcons favour. 

H/T Score;   NY Jets  3 - 20  Atlanta Falcons.
A one sided opening half of action so far, Falcons well on top and the Jets just cannot get a play away until the last few mins of the half but at least they are on the board now.

Some stats, unsurprisingly all in Atlanta's favour after a dominant first half, with Matt Ryan and Kyle Pitts the stars. Pitts has six catches for 64 yards and a score.

  Matt Ryan: 189 passing yards, two TDs

    Falcons: 62 rushing yards

  Zach Wilson: 42 passing yards, 1 INT

    Jets: 38 rushing yards

3rd Quarter;
The Jets receive this half and make an immediate impact, a 65 yard kick off return by Tevin Coleman helps to set up a 1yd Touchdown for Ty Johnson, though the extra point hits the posts it's got NY back into this. Atlanta a forced into an ugly punt and the Jets get it back again quickly, Wilson tries to find Corey Davis in the end zone but it's incomplete, they return to the rushing game instead, unable to make the yards they have to punt it away too. Atlanta look to have good position on their next drive until it's fumbled by Mike Davis within site of the red zone and recovered by the Jets, but they fail again to make anything of that and punt it away once again as the 3rd quarter comes to an end. Plenty of errors, no surprise these teams have only one success each so far this season.
4th Quarter;
Atlanta Falcons have the ball for the final quarter of this London match, an 11 point lead, can they extend it here. Matt Ryan gets the moving slowly but surely into the Jets half, using up the clock with plenty of small rushing gains, a penalty on Matt Hennessy brings things back though and a punt gives the ball back to the Jets on their own 10yd line. Some big plays finally by Zach Wilson, completions to Keelan Cole (23 yards) and then Denzel Mims (27 yards) moves them quickly forward, he then goes deep looking for Elijah Moore and he picks up a pass interference call on the 2 yard line and finally they look like making this interesting. Michael Carter goes across the line for the touchdown which they also succeed with the 2pt conversion making it 17-20 with seven mins to go. The Falcons have not scored a point this half, could it be a shock come back? Well the kick off is returned to the 25 yard line from where Matt Ryan launches it 39 yards to Kyle Pitts and Atlanta look dangerous again. With time on the clock, the two-minute warning and all timeouts still available there's plenty of this game still to play. Another first down on 3rd and 13 from Ryan there are now on the Jets 24yd line, progressing closer inside the ten, a touchdown surely secures the win. Mike Davis goes in from 3yds for another score with the extra point giving the Falcons a ten point lead now with two minutes left. The Jets did make an effort and got down the red zone again but a big sack on Zach Wilson and no time left means they take the field goal and will attempt an on-side kick, which if it fails that's the end of the contest. Olamide Zaccheaus recovers the kick for the Falcons and that's the end of the game, Falcons win and go 2-3. 

F/T Score;   NY Jets  20 - 27  Atlanta Falcons.

The next game in London will be on Sunday 17th October again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is between Miami Dolphins and London regulars Jacksonville Jaguars.

NFL 2021 SEASON - OPENING FIXTURES + UK GAMES

The opening match of the 2021 NFL Season should get underway with the traditional start featuring the current Superbowl champions Tampa Bay. Led to their 31-9 win in Superbowl LV over Kansas City by Tom Brady it will be interesting to see if they can keep up the winning run under their veteran quarterback. Plenty of new names within the NFL ranks, the likes of Drew Brees having retired at New Orleans and replaced at QB by Jameis Winston or will it be Taysom Hill who did stand in for Brees last season while Drew was out with a rib injury? Kansas City should have another good season with Patrick Mahomes calling the shots, they didn't really turn up in the Superbowl but they have all the weapons to go all the way again and use that experience. Aaron Rodgers looks like he's having another season at Green Bay, having looked to be close to retiring when they exited the playoffs last year.

FRIDAY 10^th SEPTEMBER
01:20 AM BST

DALLAS COWBOYS 29 @ 31 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

SUNDAY 12^th SEPTEMBER FIXTURES
6:00 PM BST

JACSONVILLE JAGUARS 21 @ 37 HOUSTON TEXANS

LA CHARGERS 20 @ 16 WASHINGTON

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 28 @ 16 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

NY JETS 14 @ 19 CAROLINA PANTHERS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 24 @ 27 CINCINNATI BENGALS

ARIZONA CARDINALS 38 @ 13 TENNESSEE TITANS

SAN FRANCISCO 49s 41 @ 33 DETROIT LIONS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 23 @ 16 BUFFALO BILLS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 32 @ 6 ATLANTA FALCONS

9:25 PM BST
CLEVELAND BROWNS 29 @ 33 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

MIAMI DOLPHINS 17 @ 16 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

GREEN BAY PACKERS 3 @ 38 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

DENVER BRONCOS 27 @ 13 NEW YORK GIANTS

MONDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
01:20 AM BST

CHICAGO BEARS 14 @ 34 LA RAMS

TUESDAY 14th SEPTEMBER
01:15 AM BST

BALTIMORE RAVENS 27 @ 33 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

2021 UK FIXTURES

Sunday 10th October 2:30
NY JETS @ ATLANTA FALCONS

Sunday 17th October 2:30
MIAMI DOLPHINS @JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Just the two games for this season though we expect this will be expanded again for next year. Games to be played at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium this season, Jacksonville Jaguars are a semi permanent fixture in these games now having a ten year agreement in place with the NFL.

We will have updates for both these games in October.

NFL LONDON 2021 GAMES ANNOUNCED

The NFL will return to London in 2021, with two games being scheduled to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October this year, doesn't look like there will be games at Wembley this season but all the right noise at the top level suggest that this will return with more games in Europe planned too. Having missed these games for obvious reasons last year I am pleased to see them return even if it's only two games instead of the four we had become used to. 

2021 NFL International Games
Sunday 10th October
New York Jets @ Atlanta Falcons

Sunday 17th October
Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars
*Both games will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The Atlanta Falcons will host the New York Jets on Sunday 10th October (14:30 BST) before Jacksonville Jaguars face Miami Dolphins the following Sunday. Hopefully we will hear that both games will be broadcast live in Uk (BBC / Ch5), London has hosted 28 games since 2007, but all of 2020's games were played in the United States due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Jacksonville will return as they had committed to a long spell of London games and are still the franchise most likely to become the permanent London based side (this will happen eventually). Fans will be able to see the first two picks in this year's draft in Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence and Jets' Zach Wilson. "We expect these games to be a celebration of our sport," said Christopher Halpin, NFL executive vice-president - chief strategy & growth officer.

The Jaguars will be playing their eighth home game in London, while the Dolphins will play in the UK for the fifth time, with the Falcons and Jets both appearing in their second London game.

London's calling once again for NFL action and the league is answering with a pair of games in the 2021 season, each of them boasting promising quarterback matchups and top picks from the 2021 NFL Draft class. The 2021 No.1 draft pick, Trevor Lawrence, and the Jaguars will host 2020 No. 5 pick Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins. While Lawrence is set for his first trip to play in London, the Jags will play for an NFL-record eighth time in England, their streak of consecutive seasons playing an international game having been snapped at seven due to the coronavirus pandemic. No strangers to international play themselves, the Dolphins are going to England for a fifth time. No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and the Jets will play in London for only the second time and the first since 2015 when they play the host Falcons and quarterback Matt Ryan. Like the Jets, the Falcons will be making their second trip across the Atlantic, having previously played in London in 2014. 

Tottenham Stadium, London

Dating back to 2007, the NFL has been venturing to England to showcase games for a growing fanbase. That tradition was postponed like many things during a turbulent 2020, but the NFL is back in London in 2021 and some of the league's brightest young talent is taking centre stage.

The full schedule for the NFL 2021 regular season is set to be released soon.

NFL CONFIRMS FATE OF LONDON 2020 INTERNATIONAL SERIES FIXTURES

The NFL has cancelled the International Series scheduled to take place in London and Mexico City later this year. All four games in London 2020 would have been shared between Wembley and Tottenham there should have been two fixtures involving the Jacksonville Jaguars which would have been scheduled for Wembley, with two more matches due to be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The London games were set for autumn 2020, but no firm dates had been set. It will be the first time an NFL regular season game has not been played in London since 2006. They will now be held in the US after organisers decided it was impossible to arrange games in a different continent because of the coronavirus pandemic.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made the decision after consultation with a number of stakeholders including clubs, local governments and medical authorities. The NFL had also been planning to play one game at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, but that too will now take place in the USA.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "While the NFL's many fans in London, the UK and Europe will obviously be disappointed by this news, it is absolutely the right decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the sport. I know that the NFL remains fully committed to London and I look forward to welcoming NFL teams back to the capital in 2021." while Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said they "fully appreciate the difficult decision that the NFL has had to make".

Mark Burrows, The FA's Chief Operating Officer, said: "Wembley Stadium has had the privilege of hosting NFL games for the past 13 consecutive seasons, and they are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the stadium's calendar. We were of course looking forward to welcoming teams back to Wembley this autumn - in particular, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were due to be the first NFL team to play back-to-back international games here in London. However, we understand the challenges that sports across the world are facing as a result of this crisis and, as a valued partner, we fully support the NFL in their decision to schedule all games in the US this year. We wish them every success for the new season and stand ready to welcome the NFL back to our iconic venue in the near future."

This news is hardly unexpected given no-one knows when top-level sport will be played in the United Kingdom - and when it is, it will almost certainly be behind closed doors for the remainder of 2020 at least. However, it is another financial blow to both Tottenham and the Football Association, given the games have proved themselves to be useful money-spinners over the years.

NFL INTERNATIONAL SERIES 2020 - LONDON GAMES TO BE ANNOUNCED

The 2019 NFL International series in London witnessed the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams and the Houston Texans all win in London plus the NFL made its debut at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 28 NFL London Games have now been played with 31 of the 32 NFL teams having played in a London Game. Only the Green Bay Packers have yet to come over the pond and we await news of the 2020 London Games which we expect to be made known soon after the Superbowl this year.

In November 2019, the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins were announced as home teams for 2020 games in either London or Mexico City. Unless a new deal is agreed, 2020 will be the final year of games at Wembley Stadium and the final year of the Jaguars' agreement to host annual home games there.

We already know that the Jacksonville Jaguars will return in 2020 for their eighth NFL London Game as they have a ten year deal to play, and I pray that these international games will not only continue but be extended through this decade to come. The Jacksonville Jaguars will become the first NFL team to play two games in a season outside the United States by appearing twice in London in 2020. The Jaguars will host both games at Wembley Stadium on consecutive Sundays. "We're privileged to be the first team in NFL history to play two home games in London during a single season and plan to make the most of it on game days and every day of the year. We're really looking forward to deepening our relationship with London and the UK as a whole, and would also like to thank our fans in the UK who have been phenomenal ever since our first visit, seven years ago" said Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. The Jaguars have played one home game at Wembley every year since 2013 and their owner has already tried to secure Wembley stadium in the past, Mr Khan is also the owner of Fulham Football Club.

A slip by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank might have just accidentally revealed their London opponents. Back in November, the Falcons announced that they would be playing a "home" game in London in 2020. However, at the time, Atlanta didn't announce who its opponent would be, but the team did say that it wouldn't be a divisional game. Based on the process of elimination, that meant that the Falcons would either be hosting the Bears, Lions, Seahawks, Broncos or Raiders since they'll be playing all five of those teams at home this year. According to Blank, the mystery team heading to London to face the Falcons will be the Denver Broncos.

Likely teams and fixtures, we know the home sides, their opponents are still to be confirmed;
Tottenham Stadium
  Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos?
  Miami Dolphins vs TBA
Wembley Stadium 
  Jacksonville Jaguars vs TBA
  Jacksonville Jaguars vs TBA

When we know exactly who is playing and when we shall of course update this blog. NFL Season fixtures are usually confirmed in April, but in previous years we've usually been told by now what the International games will be so perhaps we'll just have to wait and see.

NFL 2019 INTERNATIONAL LONDON GAME 4 -- HOUSTON TEXANS vs JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This Sunday sees the final of the four NFL London games and pits Houston Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Houston from the AFC South visit London to face the regular London attendees Jacksonville in a conference head to head fixture. The current season stats suggest it should be a close game in London this Sunday. 

The game will be shown LIVE on BBC Tv on Sunday afternoon the show should begin about 2pm The live game, once again to be played at Wembley Stadium, pits Texans head coach Bill O'Brien against Jaguars supremo Doug Marrone. The Texans possess Deshaun Watson, one of the most exciting and dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. He faces off against another young sensation in Gardner Minshew II. The rookie is only playing due to the injury suffered in the opening weekend of the season by starting quarterback Nick Foles, but has lit up the league with a series of record-breaking performances.

Nat Coombs presents all the action with expert analysis by two time Superbowl winner Osi Umenyiora, NFL cornerback Jason Bell and writer/journalist Mike Carlson.

Sunday 3rd November
Houston Texans vs Jacsonville Jaguars @ Wembley Stadium

Another sell out crowd of over 84,000 is expected for these popular matches and kick off is expected to be around 2:30pm (Uk Time). 

Current season record 

  Houston Texans
    - P8 W5 L3 F212 A188
  Jacksonville Jaguars
    - P8 W4 L4 F173 A163

Head Coach -- Doug Marrone

Week 9 of the regular season and while both teams are "away" in London technically this is a home fixture for Jacksonville Jaguars who are led from the sidelines by Doug Marrone the 55 year old former head coach of the Buffolo Bills and Doug also played for the London Monarchs and now takes control of the Jaguars who are the regular visitors to London now. On the field their Quarterback would have been superbowl winner Nick Foles who is currently injured and his place has been superbly taken up by Gardner Minshew who has quickly become something of a cult figure in the NFL. Elsewhere for the Jaguars they have one of the best running backs in the league with Leonard Fournette he is the AFC’s leading rusher and the league’s No. 2 rusher with 791 yards to his name. At this point, the only thing he can do better is getting in the end zone more with just one touchdown to his name. In the defensive line we have the likes of Josh Allen and Taven Bryan currently playing well ahead of themselves. 

Head Coach -- Bill O'Brien

The Houston Texans are led by head coach Bill O'Brien and have one of the leagues more exciting   Quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson and he's been setting NFL records for a rookie Quarterback and is very athletic, able to get himself out of trouble and known for running in touchdowns himself it will be interesting to see how the Jaguars defence look to cope. Elsewhere without the services of JJ Watt and Lamar Miller (both injured for the season) the Texans will look towards Darren Fells who was outstanding in last weekends win over the Oakland Raiders.

Both teams will then have a bye week [week 10] to recover from their travels following these matches.

Previous visits to London?
Houston Texans (AFC South) this will be their first visit to London although they did play an International Series game in Mexico in 2016 losing 27-20 to Oakland Raiders.

This season's opponents and home team Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South) have been to Wembley seven times previously as part of a long term deal with the NFL by owner Shahid Khan.

It will be a full house and the crowd will be roaring both teams home. Expect the stadium to be full of shirts from ALL NFL teams. We will aim to keep a brief summary of each quarter as the game progresses, should be a great start to this series of UK fixtures which will surely grow until we have our own regular season NFL franchise. Also ensure you catch all the build up and highlights of matches played earlier on their regular Saturday night NFL Show with Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora joining in the fun this season - have a great day all. 

I'm going for a Houston win and over 45 points in the match, also backing the over 21 points score at half time too. 

1st Quarter;
Ready at Wembley with the teams out and the anthems are done too, Jacksonville have won the coin toss and chose to kick off the first half so Logan Cooke gets us underway and Houston will have the first drive from the 19 yard line. Deshaun Watson secures three 1st downs on the opening drive moving up to the half way line. Watson runs himself for a first down but consecutive penalties stalls the play and they have to settle for a 52y field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn to open the scoring in London and that is the 1st score the Texans have managed in their opening drive this season. Jaguars receive the ball for their opening drive on the 19y line but doesn't last long and they have to punt it away so the Texans begin again from their own 6y line their running game is slow progress and the first quarter is quickly running out of time while another incomplete passes means they have to punt it away giving Jaguars some field position on the 30y line for their second drive opportunity. Texans second drive and Leonard Fournette makes a first down but the Jaguars cannot keep it going and are 3rd down and long as the opening quarter comes to an end.
2nd Quarter;
Jaguars have to punt it away and the Texans start the 2nd Q from their 20y line, start making plenty of 1st downs including a 4th down completion to keep things going into the Jaguars half, Kenny Stills receptions and Duke Johnson carries this needs to translate into points DeAndre Hopkins runs the ball up to the 1yd line and it's 1st and Goal for the first time and Darren Fells runs it in for a touchdown but the extra point is blocked. Gardner Minshew hasn't really got his offence going yet but things change up for them as gets hit by his own man but stays on his toes and then finds Ryquell Armstead for a huge 38-yard gain and a further first down from running back Fournette followed by Chris Conley moving them into the red zone as the two minute warning is reached, big chance for points for the Jaguars before halftime, Josh Lambo comes out and kicks the field goal to put Jaguars on the board 9-3. Less than two minutes for Houston to put together some plays before the half comes to an end, Watson running himself for a 14y gain, but a penalty and a dubious call means that Houston have a shot to increase their advantage with another Fairbairn field goal but it's wide and short. 

H/T Score;   Houston Texans 9 - 3 Jacksonville Jaguars.

3rd Quarter;
Jaguars receive the ball for the start of the second half, they down by six, it's a close game but you feel they need to score first this half. And despite some good offence from Minshew and co they mess up on a field goal snap and it's turned over almost on the half way line and it's still 9-3. Houston try and take it forwards but are held back by penalties, until a successful throw from Watson to Kenny Stills secures a first down but another offensive penalty takes them back ten yards again with over half way through the quarter already gone. Houston settle for another Ka'Imi Fairbairn field goal from 42 yards and it's 12-3 Texans in London. Minshew tries to get his team forwards and runs himself for a first down but further failures to progress means they have to punt it away again and Houston start again from their 20y line. Big play from Carlos Hyde running 48yds and they well into Jacksonville territory, DeAndre Hopkins takes the ball to the ONE yard line and another TD is secured by Duke Johnson and Houston are looking to put this out of sight now.
4th Quarter;
Jaguars begin the final quarter on their own 25y line and need to make something happen quick, their defence also need a long break looking very tired now. They've picked up a few first downs which gets them to the Houston 35y line, then Minshew is sacked and they lose five precious yards and a down, an incomplete pass they third and long in need of something big now which they get as Chris Conley is wide open and gains 20y giving them a first down in the red zone they go for it on 4th down and 10, and it looked a good catch initially but ruled an incomplete pass on review so they turn it over on downs and the final nail in the Jaguars coffin today is a first interception thrown by Gardner Minshew this season [Interception by Jahleel Addae] which will probably be the end of today's game with time running down and Houston back with the ball. Carlos Hyde runs through a huge gap and he's away, pumping those legs and going for the corner. It's surely a touchdown but then Jarrod Wilson makes the tackle and takes the ball away on the one-yard line. The final score from DeAndre Hopkins (extra point good) extends the Houston Texans lead after Minshew throws another interception throw.

F/T Score;    Houston Texans 26 - 3 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Attendance today: 84,771

The Houston Texans are now 6-3 and this loss means Jacksonville Jaguars are now 4-5.

And that is all we have from London for this season, hope you enjoy the rest of the games and then we'll take a look at the play offs nearer the time. This season Superbowl LIV is at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and will be broadcast live on BBC TV again on 2nd February 2020.