The Baltimore Ravens bid farewell to London for another year after defeating the Tennessee Titans 24-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite being classified as a home game for the Titans, the atmosphere in London made it feel like a second home for the passionate Ravens fans. They brought boundless energy and support from the beginning to the end, celebrating their team's victory in the final of the three games played in the English capital this season.
The Ravens' star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, enthusiastically referred to the traveling fans as "crazy," while coach John Harbaugh of Baltimore also recognized the incredible turnout after the game.
As is typical when the NFL brings its games to international venues, the stadium was filled to capacity with fans adorned in their Sunday best sporting attire. Normally associated with the white colors of Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premier League team that calls this stadium home, it was a sight to behold as the venue transformed into a vibrant mosaic of various NFL jerseys.
While the majority of the 61,011 spectators crammed into the 62,850-seat stadium possessed diverse loyalties and hailed from various corners of the globe, they all shared a genuine passion for the sport of football.
Baltimore Ravens fans found a new home in London.
Kin Cheung/AP
Kick to victory
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become accustomed to hosting some of the biggest stars in the realm of soccer, and with proficient kicking playing a crucial role, this football match resembled the type of gameplay that local fans are familiar with.
Both teams struggled to score in the red zone, resulting in frequent appearances by the kickers from each franchise to rack up points.
Justin Tucker, the kicker for the Ravens, had a remarkable performance, contributing a whopping 18 points to his team's total. The 33-year-old successfully made all six of his field goal attempts, and his points were especially valuable as both teams found it challenging to reach the end zone for much of the game.
Titans kicker Nick Folk also scored an impressive 10 of his teams 16 points as the Titans disappointed on their trip to London.
Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens had a huge game in London.
Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
The atmosphere in and around the ground masked the fact that the fans weren't treated to an instant classic. Despite only two touchdowns, each one was met with thunderous cheers and applause.
Zay Flowers secured the first touchdown for his team as he caught a pass from quarterback Jackson just moments before the conclusion of the first half. Demonstrating his rookie skills, he powerfully advanced into the end zone, enabling the Ravens to enter the halftime break with a firm grip on the game, boasting an 18-3 lead.
A Buffalo Bills fan displays their support during the NFL Match between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England.
Buffalo Bills supporters transform a corner of London into their own sanctuary, yet the Jacksonville Jaguars dampen the festivities. In the third quarter, Titans enthusiasts found a glimmer of optimism with star running back Derrick Henry's electrifying touchdown after one of his signature forceful runs. Regrettably, Tennessee's aspirations dwindled when quarterback Ryan Tannehill was forced to exit the game due to an injury.
The crowd made their presence felt throughout the event, even though there was a lack of action in the end zone. They enthusiastically drowned out the speakers when "Sweet Caroline," a beloved American classic that has been embraced by the English sports scene, played in the middle of the match, possibly symbolizing the strong transatlantic relationship. The songs "Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers also received similar enthusiastic reactions, with what seemed like the entire crowd singing along to every word.
Coach Harbaugh expressed his strong enthusiasm for the signing, especially since his team emerged victorious in London.
After the game, it became evident that the celebration had only just begun. Fans remained in their seats long after the final whistle, displaying their admiration and gratitude for the players in what could be a rare and unforgettable experience for both the spectators and athletes involved.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scored his team's only touchdown of the game.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
A London Super Bowl?
The NFL has found a second home in London, and the idea of hosting a Super Bowl in the city has been a topic of discussion among those involved in running the league. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that it is not out of the realm of possibility and has been previously talked about during a London fan forum, according to ESPN.
"I believe that is still a possibility. However, ultimately, I believe our current strategy will remain unchanged regarding holding [Super Bowls] in cities with existing sports teams," Goodell remarked.
Over 60,000 loud fans were in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
Zac Goodwin/PA/AP
If a historic Super Bowl were to take place in London, one thing is certain – there would be an abundance of fans on this side of the pond. This has been evident in the last three games held in the city. Furthermore, it is not only the English capital that has the honor of hosting NFL games overseas. The NFL International Series is expanding, with Germany next on the list.
The Miami Dolphins are scheduled to face off against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 5th. Following that, the Indianapolis Colts will go head-to-head with the New England Patriots at Frankfurt Stadium in Frankfurt a week later.