The National Football League’s short visit to the United Kingdom ended Sunday in London at the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The NFL’s popularity in the UK grows, driven by several trips to the capital each season. The competition is eager to capitalize on the growing number of fans in England, and sending the best teams to play in soccer stadiums in the ‘Big Smoke’ is helping attract new followers. It’s also inspiring a new generation of Brits to target a career in pro football.
English sports fans are more accustomed to cheering Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Still, they packed the stands of Tottenham’s home stadium to celebrate American Football. The thousands in attendance enjoyed a memorable show as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans in a competitive contest until the end. The Ravens won by 24 points to 16 following a show of strength, playing fast, exciting and accurate football.
Baltimore was popular with sports fans in the United Kingdom and the United States who enjoy betting on football games. With thousands of fans in the stands and millions watching the game worldwide live on television, the Ravens had no problems living up to expectations. Having landed backers a profit and won in style, Ravens return to the US boasting thousands more fans than when they arrived in England.
Ravens fast start
The Ravens exploded out of the traps and, backed by supporters in the stands, they took an early lead. Baltimore edged the first quarter, winning a competitive and nervy opener 6-3. The Titans found themselves on the wrong end of a thrashing in the second quarter, meaning they entered the half-time interval trailing 18-3 on the scoreboard. The players knew they must respond with Tennessee staring at a potentially embarrassing defeat.
The Titans dusted themselves down and made the game competitive with a strong third quarter. Despite trailing, the underdogs found another gear and banked a 10-0 victory in the third, moving the scoreboard to 18-13 with time against them. The scene was set for a thrilling finish in the UK capital, with Tennessee aiming to finish with a flurry and force a late winner while Baltimore planned to steady the ship and keep their opponents at arm’s length.
The fourth and final quarter was a battle as both sets of players put their bodies on the line to claim victory and be the show’s star. London held its breath for a stunning climax, and they were delighted with how the teams finished. The crowd was ready for a grandstand finish in the final NFL game of 2023 in London, but the Titans missed their chance. The Ravens held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the fourth stanza 18-3, moving the final score to 24-16.
What next for the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens moved to the summit of the AFC North following that hard-fought win in London, boosting their chances of playoff football. Will the Ravens win the Super Bowl this season? They still have a lot of hard work ahead of them but have shown glimpses of their capabilities and look capable of pushing the top teams to the finish.
The Ravens’ stats for the year now read four wins against two defeats, with 133 points scored and 91 conceded. Baltimore is the highest-scoring team in their pool but have conceded more than the Cleveland Browns at this stage. They are 3-1-0 on the road, but their home stats show 1-1-0, showing where they must improve in the coming weeks.
Titans next move
The Tennessee Titans lost in London, but it was a good trip. The UK audience loved them, and the players will want to return to Great Britain as soon as possible. They certainly put on a show for the football fans that packed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and can take heart from that big push in the third quarter.
Defeat to the Ravens means the Titans are bottom of the AFC South, with their stats showing two wins against four losses, with 104 scored and 117 conceded. They have a mountain to climb to save their season, but time is running out, and London may have been their final roll of the dice. The Titans are likely to round up their campaign at the regular season.
London loves football
Will the NFL return to London again in the future? You bet. The wheels are in motion to bring football back to the UK capital, using Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host games. Taking games overseas to help build the NFL brand in Europe is crucial to its continued success, and the rush for tickets each time the NFL visits London proves its worth.
Thousands of fans bought tickets to the three games played in England, with many more missing out. London has embraced American Football more than any other European nation, and that love affair grows with every visit. Keep your eyes out for information on the NFL’s plans to visit London next season. The competition will also stop in Germany and France.
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