28.11.2013. The NFL continues to expand into the European markets, especially London as a location is appointed to hold more and more NFL games. Now, the NFL announced the schedule for 2014 and will hold three fixtures at the Wembley Stadium in London.
The first NFL game in 2014 will see the Oakland Raiders face the Miami Dolphins at Wembley on Sunday, September 28, 2014. The Raiders made major roster changes and signed several new linebackers, defensive tackles and traded their starting quarterback Carson Palmer to the Arizona Cardinals. It remains to be seen if the Raiders can secure a Playoff spot this season. Miami, on the other side, is still chasing the past where they broke several records, won five division titles and Super Bowl XIX with quarterback Dan Marino. Marino retired in 1999 and the Dolphins are now coached by Joe Philbin.
The second game in 2014 is between the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions on October 26th. The Falcons have been one of the best franchises in the NFC and secured winning season in the past five years with Head Coach Mike Smith and Quarterback Matt Ryan. The Lions, however, are one of four NFL teams that has never played in the Super Bowl and had a winless season in 2008 where they lost all 16 season games.
The third NFL game in 2014 will see the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Dallas Cowboys on November 9th. The Jaguars had some bad years behind them. In 2012, the team finished with a 2-12 record, worst in franchise history. Gus Bradley was named head coach of the Jaguars in 2013 and is on a mission to rebuild the team. The Dallas Cowboys, however, are the big favorite in this match. The team is managed by head coach Jason Garrett and is the second highest valued sports franchise in the US with $2.1 billion. The team is picked with NFL Superstars such as Quarterback Tony Romo.
Specific game times are announced at a later date. However, the NFL International Series 2014 will certainly expand the fan base in the UK which are estimated 12 million fans. The NFL has grown in the UK since 2006 and Super Bowl audience has increased by 75 percent in the UK. Stay tuned for more NFL in the UK!
