The NFL has returned to London after a one-year hiatus. The Atlanta Falcons face the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a matchup of 1-3 teams. The Falcons led the Jets 20-9 in the third quarter. 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is hosting the battle between star quarterbacks – former MVP Matt Ryan and Zach Wilson.

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However, many fans wonder the reason behind NFL going all the way to London. Here is why:

According to an official NFL press release, the NFL London Games officially began in 2007. The league has conducted 28 games over 13 consecutive seasons so far. The London Games were postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

London will also host Jacksonville Jaguars against the Miami Dolphins on October 17. 

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Referring to the reason behind shifting the venue to London , a 2017 report from Sports Insider said that the primary objective of the NFL London Games has always been to establish American football as a permanent presence in England.

Former NFL Executive Vice President of International Mark Waller spoke to Sports Illustrated about how he sees the future of NFL in the UK. 

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“If the team had a second base on the East Coast, and when they came over to the States they were going back to a familiar place, there’s a general feel [among teams] that it would solve a vast number of the operational issues, whether it’s transportation issues, talent issues and making sure week-in, week-out, you have the talent you need on hand, increasingly there’s a belief that’s the right solution,” Waller said, as reported in the 2017 report.

There have also been speculations about London getting an NFL team. Nothing is official about the timeline yet.