Let the NFL London Games, Begin!
This week saw the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars touch down in London ahead of the hotly anticipated London NFL series. Wembley awaits the two sides, both a very long way from home. However, it is by no means unfamiliar territory for the Jaguars. This will be their tenth game in the capital, by far the most of any NFL franchise, and their ninth at Wembley.
For comparison, next up on that list is the Miami Dolphins, who have played five times in London. The Jaguars are in the second year of an exclusive three-year contract with the NFL to play here, and for the first time ever will be featured in two international games in the same season.
A new home for the Jaguars? Chad Johnson, COO of the team, said in an interview that a game at Wembley is ‘significantly more profitable’ than a game in their current home of Jacksonville. Money talks. It is no secret that Shahid Khan, owner of both the Jaguars and Fulham FC here in London, admires a future for the Jaguars in the UK. Whether it be a drastic relocation of the franchise, or merely creating a strong fanbase for the team in the UK, only the future will tell.
The Falcons come into this game slightly hotter than the Jaguars, with a 2-1 record. Having won and lost in their two games in London previously, its deemed a neutral territory for the Dirty Birds. The Falcons have had a positive start to the season, and a lot of it derives from their talent at the position of running back. Rookie running back Bijan Robinson, the 8th overall pick of the 2023 draft, is setting the NFL alight with his explosive combination of passing back and running back dynamism. Averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season, he is certainly living up to the hype.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder is playing satisfactorily, depending on what you expected from him in the first place. A QBR ( Quarterback Rating) of 36 through three games is not particularly impressive. However, it is far too early to write him off, only in his second season.
The run heavy offense clearly has its flaws. The gaping holes in its passing game were roughly exposed in the loss in Detroit last week, against a very solid run defence. With the 6th best run defence in the league, the Jaguars may be able to take advantage of this, unless the passing game drastically improves.
The Trevor Lawrence led Jaguars enter the game 1-2, after a shock loss to the Texans last week. Having played in London nine times, the team actually have a losing record of 4-5 here. They will certainly be looking to correct that on Sunday. The former Falcon wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be eager to exact revenge on his old team. Having started so impressively week one, he has seen a large reduction of targets in the two games the team have lost since. His impact on this offense is significant.
In year three for Lawrence, and after a remarkable second half of the season last year, all eyes are on him to be the man to take this franchise out of the depths. It is time for Lawrence to dominate the stage. With 736 passing yards and 3 touchdowns so far, he will be looking to have a standout game in the international spotlight.
Star running back Travis Etienne is already well established on the London scene, and after a brilliant performance last year versus Denver, he will look to shine again. The bookies anticipate a close game, with a spread slightly favouring the Jaguars at -3. With both teams evenly poised, what a series commencer we are in for.
