What Happened the Last Time the NFL Teams Heading to London in 2023 Played in the UK?
The 2023 NFL London Games are rapidly approaching, with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Baltimore Ravens facing off against the Tennessee Titans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this October.
Kicking off this year’s set of games are the Atlanta Falcons and Jaguars, who open the series with their game at Wembley Stadium on October 1.
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But what happened the last time these teams touched down in London?
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 2015
Final score: 31-34
After a scoreless third quarter, the Bills fought back from 27-13 down to take the lead in the fourth. Dan Carpenter’s field goal was followed by a 58-yard catch and run from quarterback EJ Manuel to receiver Marcus Easley, and a 44-yard interception return by defensive back Corey Graham.
Despite Buffalo’s comeback, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles managed to throw a game-winning, 31-yard touchdown pass to receiver Allen Hurns with 2:16 left on the clock. Jacksonville won the game 34-31, with Bortles taking the game ball home.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 2017
Final score: 7-44
John Harbaugh’s Ravens had a game to forget the last time they visited English soil. Baltimore’s starting quarterback Joe Flacco struggled, completing 8 of 18 passes for just 28 yards, and also threw two interceptions against a tough Jaguars defense that included the likes of cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive end Calais Campbell.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, were immense in front of the London crowd, with Bortles and tight end Marcedes Lewis starring in the passing game. The pair combined for three touchdowns, while Allen Hurns and running back Leonard Fournette also contributed to the scoring.
Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 2018
Final score: 19-20
The London crowd was treated to an intense display of football in 2018, as the Chargers managed to hold on to a one-point lead in a dramatic end to the game at Wembley.
Los Angeles led 13-20 late in the fourth quarter, but Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota led an impressive drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Stocker with 31 seconds left.
However, instead of kicking the extra point to level the scores and send the game to overtime, Tennessee attempted a two-point conversion, aiming for the win. Their first attempt failed, but, after a defensive holding call on the Chargers, the Titans had another shot at victory. Unfortunately for Tennessee fans, it was also unsuccessful, handing Los Angeles a win in the UK.
New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons – 2021
Final score: 20-27
The first game played in London since 2019 saw the Falcons put together a 20-3 lead at the end of the second quarter – and the contest seemed over at halftime.
The Jets’ sluggish start ultimately cost them, as, despite a second-half resurgence, their defense was unable to stop the Falcons’ offense when it counted.
Highly-rated rookie tight end Kyle Pitts had a London debut to remember, finishing with nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown – his first in the NFL. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan also had a game to remember, as he became the second-fastest quarterback to 5,000 career completions, ending the day with 33 completed passes and two touchdowns.
Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 2022
Final score: 21-17
The Jaguars’ game at Wembley against the Broncos last season was their ninth in London, but it ended in disappointment for the defacto home team.
The Broncos, a shadow of the Super Bowl 50 winning side, came to London on the back of a four-game losing streak and with new quarterback Russell Wilson under immense pressure to deliver. The Jaguars, after a 2-1 start to the season, were also looking to snap a four-game slide.
Despite running back Travis Etienne’s career-high 156 rushing yards, quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s two interceptions ultimately cost Jacksonville the game, as one of his passes late in the fourth quarter was picked off by Denver defensive back K’Waun Williams to seal the Broncos’ victory.
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