With the Broncos vs Jets matchup last weekend being considered one of the worst in the NFL international series, we’re taking a look at five of the best games in London.
As Justin Fields hit the Tottenham Hotspur stadium turf on fourth down late in the game on Sunday, he finished on -10 yards and enabled Bo Nix and the Broncos to edge out a 13-11 win, the third-lowest combined score in NFL London game history.
Many fans of the NFL and both teams alike believe it was one of the worst games seen in the Capital as of date. We’ve looked at the other end of the scale and looked at some of the best games that have been played in the UK, since the NFL started playing regular-season games in London in 2007.
1. Washington Redskins 27 – 27 Cincinnati Bengals (2016)
The NFL is the only league out of the four major sports across the pond where a game can finish in a tie, so it’s safe to say whenever a game finishes with one, it offers excitement and drama right to the very end!
This was the case in 2016, with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing for a season high 458 yards for two Washington touchdowns against Bengals QB Andy Dalton.
Cincinnati actually led by 10 points going into the fourth quarter, only to let the lead slip and force overtime, which both teams failed to convert a single point to force an even split at Wembley, so far the only game to finish in a tie outside the US.
2. New England Patriots 45 – 7 St Louis Rams (2012)
NFL Legend and former New England patriot Tom Brady returned to London only three years on from his dominating performance against his other former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 with a 35 to 7 victory.
He came back to play underneath the arches of Wembley Stadium in the 2012 season, to lead the Patriots to the highest score from any team in London series history, defeating St Louis and 2010 first overall pick Sam Bradford.
The Rams took the lead early in the first quarter, only for New England to score 45 points to no response.
Brady would throw for four Touchdowns in the game, two of which to Tight End Rob Gronkowski for a convincing ‘away’ victory.
The Patriots fell short in the AFC championship game against the eventual Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, but their season will be remembered for the highest team score in London.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 34 – 31 Buffalo Bills (2015)
You can’t include a list on the NFL London games and not talk about the team that has made the most trips across the Atlantic and appeared in 13 games in the British capital, 11 of which as a home game, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But by far the most exciting of their matchups in London was their meeting with EJ Manuel and the Bills, who actually out-threw Jags quarterback Blake Bortles by over 100 yards.
Buffalo had the lead going into the final five minutes of the game, until Allen Hurns dived for an impressive touchdown catch from a moving Bortles throw. The Jacksonville defence would prevent any movement into Field Goal range and win an impressive, high-scoring game at Wembley.
4. San Diego Chargers 32 – 37 New Orleans Saints (2008)
We go back to 2008, and two Hall of Fame caliber quaterbacks went toe-to-toe with each other in what was only the second regular season game to be held in London.
Drew Brees came out on top of the QB shootout at Wembley against Chargers talisman Philip Rivers, with the pair racking up over 330 yards each, and only separated by two yards and both with two touchdowns.
It was actually Rivers who led a late fourth quarter surge with his team down by 17 late on in the game, scoring a touchdown, field goal and even a Brees fumble into a safety in the Saints own endzone to give the Chargers hope, only for the Saints to provide a stop for the win.
Both teams finished on even 8-8 records, with Rivers and San Diego making it to the Divisional rounds of the playoffs, only to fall short to Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers.
5. Chicago Bears 21 – 24 Oakland Raiders (2019)
Out of the five games included, four have included teams that have been part of the NFL’s relocation schemes and have seen moves away from their original cities.
2019 was the Raiders’ last season in Oakland and the iconic Oakland Coliseum, and their farewell tour included a blockbuster win in the first NFL match at its now UK home the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
The now Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs secured the Raiders’ win in his rookie season with two touchdowns, one of which came after Oakland drove the full length of the field to score. A resilient defence to deny the Bears secured the win not just for the franchise, but also for the city of Oakland.
This is the last time that the Raiders were in London, and have yet to come as the Las Vegas Raiders.
