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The NFL has seen a steady rise in viewing figures in the UK over recent years, with SKY TV reporting growth of 40% on the back of each of the first two seasons that featured regular-season games taking place in English stadiums (2017 and 2018).
The figures for this 2019-20 season are yet to be published, but, something even more important is going on across the pond, in the land of tea-stained teeth: people are starting to talk about pro-football!
As more and more Brits begin to familiarize themselves with the rules of the game and figure out ways to fritter away their time during the advertisements (has anyone else read Sapiens?), it's now looking as though the NFL's dream of becoming everyone in the UK's second-favorite sport is much closer to a reality than many anticipated.
There will always be those who pour scorn on the notion of an American pastime becoming popularized across the Atlantic. Yet, these views are beginning to look increasingly outdated (viewing figures considered), and, for this NFL convert (and YES, I am from England), it seems like high-time for the rest of a dubious British public to get on board with America's game.
The reason, quite simply, is that the NFL was incredible this past season. It seemed like a new record was broken every other week and it has become must-see TV on a Sunday evening for many of the nation's sports enthusiasts.
With that in mind, here are 10 reasons why the NFL won over a legion of new fans in her majesty's Great Britain during the sport's centenary year:
#10 It was fun watching Cleveland Browns' hype train get derailed
Big things were expected from the Browns coming into the regular season, and quite rightly so. In Nick Chubb, they had one of the division's elite running-backs while wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr was brought in for big money from the New York Giants to add a dash of flair out wide, and to make catches others couldn't. Big things, too, were expected of QB Baker Mayfield who enjoyed a solid campaign in 2018.
The reality was a bit different for those fans sitting in the Dawg Pound last year though.
During the first part of the regular season, they were left bemused as they watched their team move away from Chubb and the rushing game in favor of a passing offense that struggled for yards during the early going.
Mayfield, far from pushing on and solidifying himself as one of the division's premier QBs, looked wildly inconsistent, and OBJ was struggling for discipline both on and off the field. Couple of these failings with a flimsy offensive line and a defense that struggled to make big plays, and you are left with a wildly inconsistent outfit that was a lot of fun to watch.
To put it into soccer terms, it was a bit like when QPR threw together that expensively assembled squad during their last stint in the EPL: the entire nation enjoyed watching them capitulate and the Browns' plight was a similar story and equally great viewing.
#9 Fans made the Raiders' last season in Oakland one to remember
When you think of the NFL, the legendary Oakland Raiders badge instantly springs to mind. It depicts actor Randolph Scott, pictured wearing a patch over one eye, positioned above two crossed swords. It's a fiery logo, fitting for a traditionally aggressive franchise and its equally belligerent fanbase.
Unfortunately, this was the franchise's last year in Oakland, CA, but the always-vibrant Raider Nation seemed determined to have one last party in the Black Hole in a bid to see off their heroes in style. And the face paints, costumes, chanting, and hostile atmosphere were as compelling to see as anything going on in Europe's elite soccer stadia.
#8 NFL games in the UK
Though reports of a London-based NFL team have been in circulation for years, with the league unlikely to expand beyond 32 teams, and with all the logistical/ financial difficulties sure to be encountered when attempting such a feat, UK fans understand that only the bravest of owners would attempt to relocate an entire franchise to Britain's capital.
We live in hope more than expectation where this is concerned. However, Brits can feel more than satisfied with the NFL's continued commitment to putting on big games across the Atlantic, and no doubt having elite football played on our shores can only be a solid marketing exercise.
This season, London saw some first-class Grid Iron: Bears vs Raiders and Panthers vs Buccaneers at the magnificent, new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (both games sold-out); and Bengals vs Rams, Texans vs Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Having big match-ups between America's elite sides taking place, live, and at viewer-friendly times in the UK is having a positive effect and winning over a new market of sport-hungry British fans.
Here's hoping this fine, cross-Atlantic tradition holds firm!
#7 Watching the Tennessee Titans overthrow the dynastic New England Patriots
Bill Belichick's New England Patriots have managed an unprecedented six Super Bowl titles in twenty years and been the dominant force in the NFL for two decades now (or one-fifth of the sport's history). With that kind of success comes a whole lot of jealousy, and fans on both sides of the Atlantic were keen to see them ousted from the throne this time out.
They finally got their wish.
Despite the efforts of Gilmore and co. on the defensive side of the game, things just didn't go to plan offensively, and last year's champions, led by legendary QB Tom Brady, were simply unable to rack up enough points to mount a challenge. They were beaten by a poor Miami Dolphins outfit in week 17 and exited the playoffs in the Wild Card Round at the hands of an inspired Derrick Henry and his supporting cast of Tennessee Titans.
The UK loves a giant-killing just as much as our friends across the Atlantic (besides those living in Massachusetts in this case) and for that reason, this game was one of the highlights of the sporting calendar for many of us.
#6 Michael 'cantguardMike' Thomas
The Associated Press named Michael Thomas as their Offensive Player of the Year, and it is easy to see why. The New Orleans Saints' wide receiver broke Marvin Harrison's long-standing record for the most receptions in the history of the league during the Saints' match against the Tennessee Titans, for one. Additionally, he finished the year with 1725 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, a figure that would likely be even higher had Drew Brees not been forced out of action during the early goings of the regular season with a broken thumb.
I heard Thomas' name mentioned over and over again during my late-night trips to bars to watch Sunday/Monday night NFL, and many Brits had the men from the Bayou penciled in to lift the Lombardi trophy. Of course, it wasn't to be but the Saints certainly had the talent.
One thing's for sure, though; if Brees re-signs and Kamara gets back to something like his best, they'll be back in the mix next season and when they do, Michael Thomas will be firing and the UK converts will be watching.
#5 Derrick Henry: NFL's Jonah Lomu
I, for one, couldn't fit a string between the Chiefs and the Titans when they met in the AFC Divisional Championship match last month. My head was saying, 'Mahomes is too good' but my heart, still racing from the bruising I watched Derrick Henry inflict on the Patriots, told me that he was unstoppable.
In truth, he was - that is until Frank Clark, Mathieu and the Chiefs D started setting up goal-line plays on the half-way line to deal with the powerful, Heisman winning Titans' RB!
In the end, this wasn't to be Tennessee's year, but, it was certainly Derrick Henry's! The man from the University of Alabama led the league in rushes attempted (305), rushing yards (1540), rushing touchdowns (16 - tied), and quite-rightly received the personal accolade of being named the FedEx Ground Player of the Year winner.
Such was his season that UK fans were quick to draw comparisons between Henry and the late rugby-union legend, Jonah Lomu who very nearly switched disciplines some fifteen years ago when the Dallas Cowboys came calling. Both men were built like the towers of Babylon and near-impossible to tackle at full-speed, and the UK fans enjoyed watching both men dominate their respective sports in different eras.
Whatever franchise picks Henry up during the offseason will be in with a shout for the Super Bowl. That is how good he is, and, over here in London, UK, we will be watching!
#4 Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens
Of all the British fans that I've spoken to, none have failed to mention the brilliance that is Ravens' QB, Lamar Jackson, the reason highlight reels were invented. His ability to run the football out of the pocket made for some jaw-dropping moments this season, and that 47-yard rushing TD against the Bengals mid-season was perhaps the pick of the bunch, straight out of a video game.
Backed up by the ever-aggressive Mark Ingram at RB, the Ravens offense was capable of causing problems for any defense, as former Super Bowl champions, the Patriots found out back in November. The Ravens QB, in his first full year as a starter, even won the praise of one Tom Brady.
Lovers of sport the world over need truly great players to cheer and admonish, and in newly-crowned league MVP Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have found a young star capable of winning over legions of new fans the world over.
#3 Bosa, Sherman and that hard-hitting 49ers defense
Sure, the 49ers came up short in the second half of the Super Bowl, but that doesn't detract too much from an outstanding year at the Levi's Stadium, particularly on the defensive side of the game:
Cornerback Richard Sherman showed that age is truly just a number as he finished the regular season as one of the league's best defensive covers, winning a PFF award in the process. He was perhaps even better during the postseason, too, making big interceptions against the Vikings and the Packers en route to Miami.
Sherman, himself, was outshone on the 49ers defense this season, though; and by a rookie nonetheless! The NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa was outstanding at DE, his aggressive, full-throttle play being a true joy to watch.
Of course, rugby reigns supreme across the Atlantic but a big reason for its continued success is that fans love watching hard-hitting tackles go in and the physical, masculine side of the sport.
#2 Patrick Mahomes is out of this world
If the Chiefs ever get that roof built at the Arrowhead Stadium, rumor has it that the underside will be inspired by Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel and that for the next twenty-years, Patrick Mahomes will be painting it - the man is an artist.
UK sports fans can always appreciate genuine talent and that's what we have in this young KCC QB - he just might be the best to ever lace up the cleats. Only time will tell on the latter, but with an MVP award and a Lombardi under his belt at twenty-four, few would bet against his inclusion in the 2120 team of the century.
During the Chiefs' Superbowl victory, Mahomes had to come through some difficult periods, rebounding from not one but TWO interceptions and a host of hard-hitting tackles and sacks to storm the 49ers defense in the fourth quarter and lead the Chiefs to their first title in a half-a-century. So, if it's true what they say and the mark of a legendary QB is his ability to make clutch plays when the pressure is on and the chips are down, Mahomes must now be worthy of the title - legend.
UK fans love great athletes and Patrick Mahomes - love him or hate him - is exactly that. A lot of Brits (viewing figures incoming) tuned in to watch him get the job done in Miami last night and they won't have come away disappointed, we are sure of it!
#1 It's the most competitive division in world sport right now
Because of the NFL's excellent draft-system, which enables weaker teams to get the first pick of college football's elite talents, the gap between the teams decreases each season. This helps to ensure parity between sides and keeps things competitive. Some teams are better than others - sure, but the league is in a good place right now and genuine stars/ future-stars are lining up at every franchise, so, unless you are traveling to Cincinnati, you're in for a tough game! (I'm just joking Bengals fans)
In addition to this, it seems the league is amid a shake-up. The Patriots, who have dominated in the Super Bowl in recent years, were not the offensive force of old last season, and there are a host of franchises eager to take the throne. The 49ers, the Packers, the Chiefs, the Seahawks, the Saints, and the Ravens all spring to mind - each team with players more than capable of keeping Belichick's greedy mitts off the Lombardi Trophy for the foreseeable future.
In short, the NFL is the most competitive sport in the world right now, and grueling, tight competition is what makes all sport so special.
