MFC337 Group 8 NFL UK

NFL UK

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The Chiefs win in OT

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Division Rivalry

The Broncos vs. Chiefs game saw a lot of attention on social media this past week.  8/9 NFL experts picked the Broncos to win the game.  Before the game many tweeters posted that although it wouldn’t be a high scoring game, it was going to be a hard fought matchup.  There were many posts about the superb defenses of both teams and it wasn’t much of a surprise that halfway through the first quarter it remained 0-0.  Several people were ecstatic when the Chiefs scored the first points of the game with a safety.  But, most of the social media hype came in OT.  Both teams hit field goals to keep OT going.  Fans tweeted about there anxiety and nerves watching their team line up for the kicks.  After the game winning field goal by Cairo Santos one person tweeted that they were exhausted from watching the game.

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The Toss Up Division. For the first time since 1999, a division has 3 teams with 7 wins after 10 weeks (Elias Sports Bureau research).

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AFC West Conversation

There has been a lot of buzz on social media concerning the AFC West.  The AFC West includes the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and San Diego Chargers.  Many tweeters have stirred up conversation on who will take the division this year since it is close.  Many have said that the Chargers won’t make a late run for it since they haven’t been consistent this year.  But there have been claims for the other 3 teams.  The Chiefs and Raiders are 7-2 while the Broncos are 7-3.  I saw numerous posts stating that the Chiefs were the likely favorite.  Several people pointed out the rise of Tyreek Hill as a WR threat and the five game win streak they have totaled.  It seems that many people think the Raiders and Broncos could win the division but they have to fix opposite problems.  Some analysts have pointed out the need for the Broncos offense to improve and the Raiders defense to improve.  It will be interesting to see what people think about this division in another few weeks.

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NFL Doesn’t Help Their Ratings

For the first time this year the NFL got a very interesting and fun primetime game between the Bills and Seahawks.  It was to bad that the referees made a major impact on the game which caused a huge uproar towards the league.  Referees having impacts on the outcome of games brings the leagues ratings down tremendously.  From past situations like failmary and batgate it shows how referees can have impacts on the game causing ratings to go down.  People on twitter were saying how the NFL needs full time officials so this doesn't happen anymore.  “Looking at the bigger picture, calls for the NFL to move to full-time officials, rather than part-time hires who work day jobs during the week, have been growing louder over the past few years. Consider this another brick in the wall.”-The Fine Fifteen 

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Bills game refs make blunders

An enormous amount of social media focus was on the Bills-Seahawks game on Monday Night.  The game was close the whole time.  The main controversy involved the Bills field goal kick before halftime.  Many tweeters were pissed and upset about the poor officiating.  A player for the Seahawks, Richard Sherman, clearly roughed the kicker for the Bills, Dan Carpenter.  The refs said Carpenter had to sit out a play because the trainers came onto the field without the use of a timeout.  The Bills decided to spike the ball to allow Carpenter to kick the field goal again.  Then, the refs stood over the ball while the clock was running and the Bills were unable to hike before time expired.  This, in turn, backed the FG up even farther which resulted in a missed kick.  NFL analysts and even other NFL players took to social media to show their shock and disappointment with the officiating.  A player for the Patriots, Rob Gronkowski, tweeted the word ‘Wow’ after the debacle.  Multiple articles have been posted by organizations like Sports Illustrated to express the obvious sequence of blunders by the refs.  All in all, the NFL may have reduced its ratings quite a bit.

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International Stalemate

Last Sunday, there was a lot of social media buzz about the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins in London.  Leading up to the game many tweets were posted about the quality of the matchup.  Both teams had about even records with the Redskins (4-3) and the Bengals (3-4). The matchup was posted all over Facebook to increase viewing for the International series.  In addition, Wembley Stadium was packed with fans.  Many fantasy owners were shocked that WR Jamison Crowder was going off in the game.  Several tweeters posted about how surprising it was to see Crowder out perform Jordan Reed.  Most of the social media buzz though came after the game.  Fans were ecstatic to watch an Overtime game but were frustrated with the tie.  Tweets, Facebook posts, and even ESPN reporters all remarked on the fact that they hate how ties are a thing in the NFL.  I think it just goes to show how fans want a winner and a loser, not a friendly tie.

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NFL Record At Wembley Stadium

Last weekend the Cincinnati Bangles and the Washington Redskins played at Wembley Stadium in London.  The official attendance for the game was 84,488.  It broke a record for the most attendance inside Wembley Stadium during an NFL game.  It also was the first time a international game went into overtime and first to end in a tie. 

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Injured once again.

Chiefs place Jamaal Charles on injured reserve. He will be said to miss eight weeks with a knee injury. Charles will have to have a second surgery on his knee. The earliest he can return is week 17 against the Chargers. This will be his second season out because he never recoverd from the second acl tear in his knee. The Chiefs have signed a running back from the Titians it dosent look good for Jamaal we will have to see what awaits in the future running back.

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NFL Making History At Twickenham’s

Last weekend the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams broke Twickenham’s stadium 107 year history.  The NFL game was the first non-rugby sporting event ever played in Twickenham’s stadium.  During World War II Twickenham stadium was used as a civil service depot.  The stadium has only been used for Rugby until last weekend.  Selling out the stadium with 75,000 fans proves that American football is becoming a little more popular in Europe every year.

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Twickenham Stadium. 2nd largest stadium in the UK.  October 23 marked the date of the first ever NFL game played in this stadium.

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Late Lead in London

This past week there was another NFL game in London between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams. The game was the first ever at Twickenham Stadium which many posts proclaimed on the NFL UK page.  Many NFL fans are always surprised by the earlier start to the international games.  On Twitter, there were numerous tweets saying things like “football on TV already, it’s gonna be a good day.”  It was an early 9:30am start.  Fans were raving on Facebook about the closeness of the game.  The Giants and Rams were tied from halftime to the 4th quarter.  Many viewers thought Case Keenum and the Rams were gonna pull it out.  Late in the 4th quarter though, the Giants broke the tie with a TD.  I saw a lot of bitter and frustrated tweets in reference to Case Keenum with his 4 interceptions.  Fans were disappointed and remarked that now the Rams had a below a .500 record as they are now 3-4 on the season.  Meanwhile, there were a few tweeters that said the Giants might be turning their season around. 

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Report: Roethlisberger could miss 4-6 weeks.

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Roethlisberger Recap

In one of the most vast monsoons of social media storms, specifically Twitter, fans were in uproars over the supposed injury to Ben Roethlisberger.  The Steelers have been on a roll in both their passing and running games with a 4-2 record.  Unfortunately, this team may take a hit the next month.  Fans were shocked and tweeting many sad emojis and frustrated remarks when news broke of Big Ben having undergone surgery on his left knee for a torn meniscus.  The Pittsburgh Steelers even remarked that they weren’t sure when he would be returning.  Fans tweeted their devastation especially when Big Ben was interviewed and stated that a bone bruise from last year may increase the normal time table for his return from this meniscus tear.  Only time will tell how the Steelers will fair without Ben under center.

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Bills Star Running Back Injured?

All over twitter Wednesday were worried Buffalo Bills fans.  At practice Wednesday Lesean McCoy left practice with a tight hamstring. Bills head coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday the running back's hamstring was tight and will be checked by the medical staff.  McCoy is currently second in rushing yards in the NFL at 587. He's averaging six rushing scores and 5.6 yards per carry this season.  This giving Bills fans a lot to worry about.  Fans were twitting pictures of people crying with captions of “when McCoy injuries his hamstrung at practice”.  This could be a huge set back for the Bills as they take on a division rival the Miami Dolphins this Sunday.