So, another year and another NFL International Series in London comes to an end. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to go to Twickenham and be part of the awesome crowd enjoying the final game; Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings.
Twickenham isn't the easiest stadium to get to in the world and, with this being my first experience at England's home of rugby, I was nervous about arriving and leaving the stadium.
Although, I have to say that, despite my general hatred of all things public transport, it all ran pretty smoothly. Obviously there were queues for the shuttle buses leaving the stadium, so that caused the only real delay we had on our travels.
There is a special atmosphere around the NFL London Games that you don't really get at other sporting events. This is the only opportunity to watch NFL in the U.K., so instead of getting a simple split between two sets of fans, you have a huge number of NFL fans who are there to enjoy a day out watching their favourite sport.
Everyone is friendly. Everyone is just thrilled to finally watch the NFL in the flesh. We managed to strike up a conversation with a Vikings fan from Germany on the train, which was tough for us following the Aaron Rodgers incident just a few weeks previous, and built a strong passion for the Browns with a couple of former Ohio University students who sat next to us during the game.
The whole event is set up to make the day feel as close to watching a game in America as possible. A tailgate, usually in the car park outside a sporting event with beer and BBQs, was arranged outside Twickenham with authentic American food trucks and activities to keep the NFL-goers entertained until kick-off.
From throwing and kicking activities (the only video of me doing this was the only one I missed on) to a stand where you could have your picture with the Lombardi Trophy, the trophy awarded to the Super Bowl winners at the end of each season, U.K. fans are invited to fully submerse themselves in America's favourite game!
Up until this match-up, the three other games in London this year had been nothing short of blow-outs. Ravens 7-44 Jaguars. Dolphins 0-20 Saints. Rams 33-0 Cardinals. The one thing everyone was hoping for as they turned up to Twickenham on October 29th was, please can we have a game within a score or two??
But if the previous seven weeks were anything to go by, this one was about to go the same way. The Minnesota Vikings, who's home ground is to host the upcoming Super Bowl, were flying high in the NFC North with a 5-2 record, whereas their counterparts from Cleveland were experiencing a second season with an 0-7 start.
I was lucky enough to grab a quick word with Jason Bell, former Cowboys, Texans and Giants cornerback turned co-presenter of BBC's NFL This Week, just prior to kick-off. In a rather hopeful tone, I asked "we feeling Browns today?", to which J-Bell shrugged with a grin and replied "anything is possible.And for half the game, it certainly appeared as if anything was possible!
Following a powerful rendition of both national anthems, of which I missed (not for any protest reason, just I was stuck at the bar), the Browns intercepted a throw from Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, who appeared to be continuing his London luck after he threw four interceptions for the LA Rams against the New York Giants and Wembley last year.
They converted the interception into a 26-yard touchdown run from Isiah Crowell, celebrating with an aggressive throw against the advertising hoarding as if to say - don't doubt me - following a less than impressive season to date.
As all the Browns fans began to think - maybe this is the start of the new Browns we will see - they missed the point after kick, leaving themselves a little exposed and reminding everyone who they really were.
The Vikings began to edge their way back into the game, with a field-goal and touchdown of their own from Adam Thielen, who celebrated like a 'soccer' player in front of the English crowd (we'll ignore the wrong sport, wrong stadium issue). The Vikings made the Browns feel a little better by also missing their kick, giving themselves a 9-6 lead.
Before the end of the half, we still had time for Cleveland's rookie quarterback, DeShone Kizer, to wheel away in joy after he ran over for a TD from a yard out, and time for the Vikings to go up the other end and convert a field goal to make the score 13-12 at half-time. Finally, the close match-up we've been waiting for was happening, in the most unlikeliest of games!
The second half was where we began to see the gulf in quality between the two rosters. The match remained close during the third quarter, even if the Vikings had a lead of seven points by the end of it, but the fourth quarter ruined any hope the Browns had of coming away with their first victory of the season.
The Vikings fans sat in front of us were relieved to say the least, attempting to start their version of - let's go, Vikings, let's go! - only to be met with our response...
YOU'RE NOTHING SPECIAL. THEY LOSE EVERY WEEK.
This game definitely took the title of 'Best Game of the International Series'. Although the score got away from the Browns, they kept it tight and interesting. Which is all we asked for. DeShone Kizer wasn't outstanding, but you could for sure see glimpses of a very good quarterback there. If the Browns are brave to just stick with him, they could build a good set up around him. Now that this year is over, rumours will now begin flying around about who will be the teams to take the trip across the pond next year. Already, the Green Bay Packers have been spoken about coming over, with equal hope that the other five teams yet to make the flight will finally join the hype.
But let's enjoy the rest of the season now! And see who's season goes from strength to strength, and who's will begin to fade away.
What were your thoughts on the London Games? Who do you want to see at next year's series? Share and comment.
You can read my other blogs at ScriptEye and I Can't Write Words here.
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