NFL @ Wembley: Bucs and Patriots come to London

NFL / Mike O’Donnell / 22 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

"The Patriots are 4-2 and are coming off the back of a big 59-0 win in the snow against Tennessee last Sunday. In contrast, the Bucs, who have been described as being in a year of rebuilding are 0-6 and went down to Carolina 28-21 last week."

The NFL is due to make its annual trip across the pond to play at Wembley this weekend with this decade's most successful team, the New England Patriots, set to take on the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike O'Donnell has examined the odds and brings you this betting preview

This will be the third time that two NFL teams have travelled over to England to do battle at Wembley Stadium. The two previous battles were both close encounters with the scores being 13-10 and 37-32 between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers respectively.

However don't expect this year's encounter to be anything like that, the Patriots are 4-2 and come to London off the back of a 59-0 trouncing of Tennessee last Sunday. In contrast, the Bucs, who are rebuilding, are 0-6 and went down to Carolina 28-21 last week. This is reflected in the match odds with Tampa Bay trading at [9.2] and New England at [1.11] on Betfair.

The Patriots are studded with big names and none come bigger than Tom Brady. The star quarterback threw six touchdown passes in Foxborough last week and has publicly stated that he is not fazed by the expectations of the Wembley pitch.

"It's an incredible stadium, I've seen it on TV, I've watched a lot of European soccer," said Brady.

"I watched that game a few years ago on that turf, it's a soccer field so I guess it's pretty flat. The grass is a little bit longer so hopefully it'll slow down the Tampa pass rush, that's what I'm hoping."

Brady's opposing quarterback this week, Josh Johnson is starting in just his fourth ever NFL game and has had a tough time so far in his rookie season. He can be backed at [1.6] to pass under 179.5, which considering the conditions and Johnson's tough start this season seems quite generous.