NFL London Game

Broncos @ 49'ers

So the time is now UK fans!!  We have waited a full 12 months to see live NFL action on this side of the pond, and we are only a few hours away.  This is the 4th regular season game to be played at Wembley, and from what NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell said on Friday, it certainly won't be the last.  Speaking to over 38,000 fans in Trafalgar Square London yesterday, Mr Goodell announced that the NFL plans to bring 'multiple' games to Europe, and that a full time franchise in London would be 'realistic'.  Can you imagine how good that would be people?  A team that we could watch week in, and week out, and call our own.  That really is something to look forward to.

Anyway back to today's game, between the 2 - 5 Broncos, and the 1 - 6 49'ers.  This game was seen before the season began as a battle between 2 teams that would be competing for division titles and playoff berth's.  The Broncos missed a 'wildcard' spot by 1 game last year after starting the season 6 - 0.  The 49'ers finished just 2 games back from Arizona in the NFC West last year, but after the departure of many key players from the Cardinals, including starting QB Kurt Warner and WR Anquan Boldin, the 49'ers were seen as the favorites for the title this time around.  This optimism has not been realised for either team as they have a combined record of just 3 - 11.  Some people have seen the fact that they are 2 struggling teams as a bad thing for the game.  In my eyes they couldn't be more wrong.  This is a game between 2 struggling, desperate teams that are looking to keep their season alive before the bye week.  I believe that this is going to be a scrap from beginning to end, and is going to be very entertaining to watch.

The 'home team' 49'ers will have a new QB under centre for this game.  Regular QB Alex Smith has a shoulder injury and is unable to play.  Last week 2nd string QB David Carr came in and looked awful, so the QB of choice is Troy Smith.  This will be only the 3rd start of the 26 year old NFL career, and his first ever for the 49'ers.  His 2 previous starts were in Baltimore in 2007.  This is a huge task for Smith to lift this team, especially as he may be without TE Vernon Davis.  Davis is a major part of this offence with a team leading 422 receiving yards and 4 TD's.  If he does miss the game, expect to see alot of RB Frank Gore, both running and receiving the ball.

The Broncos come into this game on the back of a thoroughly embarrassing 59 - 14 home loss to division rivals, the Oakland Raiders.  The Broncos defence was humiliated in the run game, giving up 328 yards and 5 TD's.  This phase will have to improve this week against the very talented Frank Gore.  The Broncos on offence are extremely good through the air.  They are in fact ranked 3rd in the NFL, with QB Kyle Orton throwing for a total of 2,140 yards and 11 TD's.  This will undoubtedly be the way in which Denver will try and win this game against an average 49'ers pass defence.

So this game will not have the explosiveness of the 2008 game in London between the Saints and the Chargers, but it will be a battle, and the outcome of the battle could have huge consequences for the losing teams coaching staff.  Enjoy the game UK, as it looks like the NFL is on these shores to stay!

Week 7 Highlights

Take a look at the highlights and key moments from 'week 7' in the NFL.

Power Rankings following Week 6

So here are my rankings, from 32 through to number 1, of the NFL teams at the moment.  I'm sure there are many things here that you may disagree with, and if there is, please get in touch.  Get in touch by either leaving a comment, through twitter - http://twitter.com/nflgbview, email - nflgbview@googlemail.comor facebook .  I look forward to hearing from you.  Also don't forget to vote for the 'Game of the Week' for week 7.  The poll is on the right hand side of this page.  Please vote, as I need to know which game to report in depth. 

32.  Buffalo Bills (0 - 5)
31.  Carolina Panthers (0 - 5)
30.  Cleveland Browns (1 - 5)
29.  Oakland Raiders (2 - 4)
28.  Detriot Lions (1 - 5)
27.  San Francisco 49'ers (1 - 5)
26.  Jacksonville Jaguars (3 - 3)
25.  Dallas Cowboys (1 - 4)
24.  Cincinnati Bengals (2 - 3)
23.  Denver Broncos (2 - 4)
22.  San Deigo Chargers (2 - 4)
21.  St. Louis Rams (3 - 3)
20.  Seattle Seahawks (3 - 2)
19.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3 - 2)
18.  Arizona Cardinals (3 - 2)
17.  Minnesota Vikings (2 - 3)
16.  Wasington Redskins (3 - 3)
15.  Chicago Bears (4 - 2)
14.  Green Bay Packers (3 - 3)
13.  Kansas City Chiefs (3 - 2)
12.  Tennessee Titans (4 - 2)
11.  Houston Texans (4 - 2)
10.  Miami Dolphins (3 - 2)
9.    Atlanta Falcons (4 - 2)
8.    New York Giants (4 - 2)
7.    Philadelphia Eagles (4 - 2)
6.    New Orleans Saints (4 - 2)
5.    New Engalnd Patriots (4 - 1)
4.    Baltimore Ravens (4 - 2)
3.    Indianapolis Colts (4 - 2)
2.    New York Jets (5 - 1)
1.    Pittsburgh Steelers (4 - 1)

Week 6 Highlights

Take a look at all the key moments and plays from week 6 in the NFL.  Pay particular attention to the catch from Colts number 85 WR Pierre Garcon, WHAT A CATCH!!

Cowboys 21 Vikings 24

The 'Game of the week' took place in Minnesota this week, when the 1 - 3 Vikings and the 1 - 3 Cowboys came up against one another.  Only 5 % of teams that have started 1 - 4 have ever made the playoffs since the new playoff system was bought in 20 years ago.  This game was therefore nicknamed the 'Panic Bowl' by reporters in both Minnesota and Dallas.  Both teams were seen as potential Superbowl contenders in the pre season, but which of them would be in a huge hole after just 6 weeks.

In the first half Cowboys QB Tony Romo moved the offence up and down the field connecting with WR Roy Williams for 2 TD's (15, 2 yards).  Between these 2 TD's Vikings QB Brett Farve found WR Greg Camarillo for a 10 yard TD.  Romo had a decent game for the Cowboys, throwing for 220 yards and 3 TD's.  He did though have 2 INT's, and the Cowboys could not get the running game going.  RB's Felix Jones and Marion Barber only managed 63 yards on the ground, with a long of just 6 yards.  Despite this, the Cowboys led 14 - 7 at half time.

The Cowboys had to kick off for the 2nd half, and back to return was former Florida Gator utility player Percy Harvin.  He took the ball at the 5 yard line, and took it back 95 yards for a TD.  This levelled the score line, but tipped the tide of emotion in the favour of the Vikings.  On their next possession they drove down the field behind the running of Adrian Peterson, who ran for 73 yards.  Peterson finished the drive with a 1 yard run for a TD to give the Vikings the lead.  This seemed like it may be the end of the road for the Cowboys, who once again committed penalty after penalty.  They gave up 11 penalties for 91 yards and teams giving up this kind of yardage cannot win games.  The Cowboys did however manage to get another drive going, and Romo found WR Dez Bryant for a 31 yard TD to level the scores.  There was just 10 mins left, which of these desperate teams could pull this out??

The Vikings went 3 and out on the following possession, and had to punt the ball back to the resurgent Cowboys.  The Cowboys ran the ball twice and got themselves in a 3rd and 2 situation.  Romo dropped back to pass, and looked for his prime target TE Jason Witten.  The ball though never arrived in Witten's hands as Minnesota Vikings MLB E.J Henderson picked the ball off, and lifted the roof off the dome.  The Vikings moved themselves into FG range, and kicker Ryan Longwell hit what turned out to be the winning 3 points.  This was a huge win for the Vikings, one that has put them right back in the hunt for the NFC North following defeats for the Bears and Packers.  The Cowboys are however in huge trouble in the NFC East, will they be able to be one of the 5 % that make the playoffs after starting 1 - 4, something tells me they won't!

Week 5 Highlights

Take a look at the Week 5 highlights and key moments!!

Game of the Week

Redskins 17 Eagles 14

The eyes of the NFL world were on Philadelphia this Sunday to watch the return of Donovan McNabb.  There were questions from a number of people, including me, to how the locals would greet the returning QB, and I'm glad to say the Eagles fans were very classy.  I wrote an article before the game on Sunday highlighting just what McNabb had done for the Eagles in his 11 year career there, and I was very happy to hear the cheers for him as he was announced before the game.  The Philly crowd is a notoriously tough one, but well done Eagles fans!!  There were embraces between McNabb and many of his former teammates, notably a big hug from opposing QB Micheal Vick, before kickoff also.

Once the game started of course, the Eagles fans jumped down McNabb's throat, and the boos rained in.  The Redskins though, started really fast, and were hitting hard.  The first TD of the day came on a 12 yard run by Ryan Torain, who ran through Eagles S Quintin Mikell on his way to the endzone.  This bull dozing run from Torain summed up just what kind of mood the Redskins were in, and before the Eagles could figure out what was happening McNabb found TE Chris Cooley for 31 yards, and a 14 - 0 lead after 1.

The Eagles opened the 2nd quarter with a 49 yard FG, following good play from Vick with both his arm, and his legs.  Vick though did get injured on this drive as he had a 23 yard scramble, and as he dived for the line he got sandwiched by 2 Redskins defenders.  This collision caused a rib injury, and kept Vick out for the rest of the game.  The Redskins though went straight back down the field, including a McNabb 57 yard bomb to WR Anthony Armstrong, and added a FG of their own from 26 yards making it 17 - 3.  Kevin Kolb, the QB that the Eagles chose over McNabb came into the game.  On his first play from scrimmage Kolb fumbled the snap, but luckily managed to recover the ball himself.  The Eagles then slowly moved down the field and added another FG, to make the game 17 - 6 at half time.

The 3rd quarter was littered with mistakes.  McNabb had a pass for Joey Galloway INT by Eagles rookie S Nate Allen,  LeSean McCoy had the ball knocked out of his hands as he ran towards the goal line, so the score remained 17 - 6 going into the 4th.  The Redskins managed to run a lot of the clock down in the 4th before finally Kolb and the Eagles offence got a chance to put point on the board with around 7.30 to go.  The Eagles went no huddle, and marched down the field before Kolb found TE Brent Celek with a 5 yard TD pass.  The Eagles, now trailing 17 - 12, decided to go for a 2 point conversion, in order to make it a FG (3 point) game.  The attempt failed, so the Redskins had a TD lead with just 4 minutes left in the game.  The Redskins dug in and kept the ball for around 3 minutes, but Kolb and the Eagles offence had one last chance, with 1.07 on the clock.  With the help of a couple of laterals, Kolb got the Eagles to the 32 and had one last chance.  Kolb bought time and heaved the ball into the endzone.  The ball went straight into the hands of WR Jason Avant, but he couldn't hold on, and Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall INT the tipped ball, and the Redskins had the win. 

This must have been a very sweet moment for McNabb.  His new Redskins team had understood just what this game meant to him, and had raised their game to help him get the 'W'.   He had shown the Eagles organisation just what they were missing, and now with Vick injured, do you reckon the would take him back if they could?

Week 4 Highlights

Take a look at this video and soak up all the big moments from week 4 in the NFL

McNaab back in Philly

You may be wondering what all the fuss is about this weekends game in Philadelphia.  OK its the Eagles against division rival Washington Redskins, and also some QB is returning to play against the Eagles for the first time in his career, whats so special about that??  Well I will try and explain to you the magnitude of this return, and why this game is so big.

Donovan McNabb was drafted by the Eagles in the 1999 draft, and McNabb received a series of boos from Eagles fans present.  These Eagles fans wanted the Eagles to select RB Edgerrin James, and felt that a QB was not what the organisation required.  Here was the birth of the McNabb legend.  He started 6 games in the '99 season, but took part in 12, and did enough to win the starting spot for the 2000 season.  This season was a fantastic one for the young QB, who threw for 3,365 passing yards and rushed for 629 yards with a combined 27 TD's.  This led the Eagles to a 11 - 5 record, and a wildcard spot in the playoffs.  The Giants ended this run in the divisional round of the playoffs, but what a start for McNabb.

McNabbs 3rd year in Philly saw the Eagles go to another 11 - 5 record, which won them their 1st division title for 13 years.  The streak didn't stop here as the Eagles beat the Buccaneers and the Bears to go into their first NFC title game for 21 years.  They lost this game against the Rams, but what an impact their young QB was making, and even so, the Philadelphia fans were still not convinced. 

The Eagles went on to take the divisional crown and advance to the NFC championship game for the next 3 years.  They even went to the Superbowl in 2004, where they lost 24 - 21 to the defending champion Patriots.  This was the criticism of McNabb in Philly.  The fans believed that McNabb had all the talent around him, but couldn't get it done in the big game.  The Eagles made playoff appearances in '06, '08 and '09, advancing to the championship game in '08 where they lost to the Arizona Cardinals.

So lets just put McNabb's career in Philly into perspective, in 10 seasons there, he made 8 playoff appearances, won 5 NFC East Championships, went to 5 NFC Championship games winning 1, and appeared in 1 Superbowl.  This to me is a 'Hall of Fame' career, even though he never managed to win the 'Big Game'.  Donovan McNabb gave his absolute all in Philly for 10 years, and was never appreciated for the success he bought to the team.

The Eagles decided to trade McNabb last year as they wanted to move in a different direction with young QB Kevin Kolb.  Now I have no problem with Kevin Kolb, but he lasted just 15 plays in the opening game with the Packers this year before having to leave with a concussion.  This is a very unfortunate injury, but may just point out that McNabb was working with a poor O Line in Philly, and was raising the performance of the whole team.  Veteran QB Michael Vick came in to replace Kolb, and now, even with Kolb back from injury, Vick is still the starter.  So where does this leave McNabb.  He was traded from the city he loved, and gave his career to, so this young hot shot could come in.  Now after just 15 plays, that young hotshot has lost his job to Michael Vick.  Vick is doing a good job at the moment, but do you think Eagles head coach Andy Reid would take McNabb back if he could??  I do!  Just to add more fuel to the fire, Vick would not even be in Philly if it wasn't for McNabb.  When Vick came out of prison for his dog fighting conviction it was McNaab that convinced Andy Reid and the Eagles organisation to bring in Vick.  McNabb took Vick under his wing, and happily split time with the former Falcons QB last year.  Now Vick has his job.  Add to this that the Eagles also traded McNabb to a division rival, knowing full well that they would have to play him twice a year, and you have got a very, very explosive game in prospect.

I hope now that you all have a bit more of an insight into what this game means this weekend.  I know players go back to play their former teams quite often, but you have to admit, this one has a special edge to it.  Enjoy it people, I know I can't wait!