Today, the NFL returns to London – followed by a full day of games back stateside. The NFL has been playing games in London for the past 12 seasons and it is an exciting time for NFL fans all over the world as it returns following COVID-19. There are 16 matches this Sunday, so we will break down some of the highlights below!
First off is NFL London Game – Jets taking on the Falcons. The NFL first set foot on UK soil in 2007 and since then has been a staple fixture as the league continues to grow exponentially. This year also sees the Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars travel across the pond for their regular-season games next week.
The NFL London Game is a highly anticipated match and it will be interesting to see what kind of crowd turns out for the first NFL game in Europe for two years. Jets vs Falcons odds:
The NFL London Game will start at 14:30 BST and kickoff is 15 minutes later. There will be a half-time break of 30 minutes before the NFL action continues with another match as part of NFL Sunday.
In total, there are 16 matches this weekend between Thursday and Monday night with NFL London Games and every NFL game available in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports. There will be several different bets to consider for this NFL London Game, check out our site for all odds.
Some of the other hot picks for the weekend are:
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
New England and the Texans are both 1-3 with this game seeing two rookie Quarterbacks going head to head. The Pats’ Mac Jones has the highest completion percentage (70.0) of any rookie who has started in the first four games since 1950. Analytics expert Cynthia Frelund has the Patiots winning in 70.5% of her simulations with a projected score of 26-16.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
With a slow start from both teams this season, the Lions will be hungry for their first win. The Vikings have won the last 7 straight encounters between the teams, with Dalvin Cook averaging 106.3 rush yards in his 6 career games against the Lions – the most of any player versus Detroit since 1970.
New Orleans Saints at Washington Football Team
Both teams enter this weekend at 2-2. Entering week 5, the Saints offense has only had 14 big plays, the fewest of any team in the NFL. With Washington’s defensive end, Chase Young, on the hunt for his first sack of the season it will be interesting to see if the Saints’ offense can withstand the pressure.
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following Tom Brady’s victorious return to Foxborough last weekend, he comes up against a team to which he has suffered 12 career losses – double the amount of any other opponent. However, with opposing QB Jacoby Brissett’s miserable form averaging 4.9 pass yards per attempt, it’s tough to see how the home team can be victorious over the current Super Bowl Champions.
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Another game this weekend where both teams enter with a strong 3-1 start. The Bengals have won 3 of their last 4 games against Green Bay. Likely to be a close fought game, the Packers’ Aaron Jones’ blistering form of 200+ rush yards, 100+ receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in the first 4 games in 2 straight seasons (only 1 of players to do so since 1950) will certainly keep the Bengals’ defense on their toes.
Denver Broncos at Pitsburg Steelers
Denver enters this matchup with the stronger 3-1 form, allowing on average 12.3 points per game this season, the fewest they have allowed since 2009. They have also not allowed a 60-yard rusher this season. With Pittsburgh averaging 55.3 yards this season (the lowest in the NFL), odds are firmly in favour of the Broncos taking charge away from home.
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers
An interesting match-up as the Eagles going into the game as the only team ranked in the top 10 total offenses that have a losing record this season. Panthers’ Sam Darnold on form 95.4 passer rating the season is on pace to be the highest by a Panthers QB since Cam Newton in his 2015 MVP season. With the Eagles Miles Sanders’ rush yards decreasing each game this season (only 13 yards last week), odds are in favour of the 3-1 Panthers taking charge.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville’s miserable 19 game losing streak looks set to continue this week against a Titans team that looks to be gaining momentum. Running back Derrick Henry has 113 carries – the most through a team’s first 4 games since Ricky Williams in 2003. The Jags will want a boost before heading to London next weekend, but the odds are fully in favour of the Titans going 3-2.
Cleveland Browns at LA Chargers
Tipped to be one of the closest games of the weekend, Cynthia Frelund has the Browns slightly ahead, winning in 51.2% of her predictions with a final score of 24-23. However, all 4 of the Chargers opponents this season have scored the fewest points when facing them. In the QB comparison, the Charger’s Herbert leads against Mayfield in completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating. Certainly, one to watch this Sunday!
Chicago Bears at LV Raiders
The Raiders will be keen to shake off last weeks defeat against a 2-2 Bears side. They have won 2 of their last 3 games against the Bears, however with with fewer points and total yards in 1st quarters than in overtime this season, they’ll be looking to come out of the blocks fast when they line up against their old teammate Khalil Mack.
San Fransico 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
All eyes will be on the Cardinals this Sunday as they head into week 5 as the only undefeated team in the NFL. This is a stark contrast to their 2012 season when they lost 11 of their last 12 games. The 49ers strong away form (7-3 on the road since 2020) will be put to the test, as the odds show the Cardinals to contiune their undefeated streak.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
The on-form Cowboys enter this matchup as favorites. Having won 7 of their last 8 games against the Giants and averaging 38.5 points per game (the second highest in the NFL) Dak Prescott’s men look likely to seal the win in front of a home crowd.
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
With many tipping the Bills at Super Bowl contenders, they are looking to cause an upset at Arrowhead as we look forward to witnessing a rematch of the 2020 AFC Championship game. Cynthia Frelund has the Bills as marginal favorites to win at 50.8% with a projected final score of 28-27. Another highlight game of the weekend, this one is sure to go to the wire with both teams desperate to get the upper hand.
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens
The Colts enter week 5 with all sorts of Offence problems. QB Carson Wentz has a 52.4 completion percentage and 4.7 pass yards/ attempt vs Ravens in his career. These are both the lowest of any opponent he’s played more than twice. Odds are in favour of Lamar Jackson and his men sealing the victory at home.
