A Guide To NFL 2018 & A Preview To The New Season
Every year, the NFL promises to be one of the most prominent, well-organised and most exciting events in the entire sporting world. Fans and newcomers alike will have all of heard of the Super Bowl – and if you haven’t, what rock have you been living under? Nevertheless, it’s less likely that newbies will truly understand everything that the NFL has to offer in the run up to this huge, international event. Here, we’re exploring the NFL and what the 2018 season has to offer.
How Does The NFL Work?
The NFL is the USA’s main American Football competition, and while people often rush to the bookmakers to place their bets for the internationally acclaimed Superbowl, not everyone truly understands what it means. Much like other huge sporting events, the NFL consists of a number of games between 32 different teams working their asses off to compete on the American Football pitch for the championship title, but these 32 teams are divided down into two categories – the National Football Conference, and the American Football Conference. This is broken down again into North, South, East and West regions, so each region had 4 teams within it.
Throughout the season, each team will play the three other teams in their division twice – home and away – and with 10 further predetermined match-ups, there are 16 games in total for each team. There’s also the NFL International Season, which is the next set of games to grace our screens that all take place outside of the USA.
When Do 2018 Season Tickets Go On Sale?
The next NFL season kicks off in London this year with three huge games on the 14th, 21st and 28th October, and you’ll be pleased to know that tickets are already available to buy. For those wanting a season pass, you can renew yours for the 2018 season already, and those just looking for single event tickets, companies are already offering hotel and game packages for those looking to travel. Thomas Cook Sport, for example, are offering packages with a game ticket, and one night in a hotel that includes breakfast in your accommodation, and entry into the NFL tailgate party which takes place before the game – these packages start from £179.
How Much Will They Cost?
Being in the off season can mean a lot of waiting. While NFL fans have quickly learned how to entertain themselves during the bleak months with no football with anything from NFL video games, reading about free agency transfer rumours, to seeking out the best futures bets to prepare themselves for the new season. Luckily, with the new season tickets now on sale and the announcement of the prices for the NFL London games, there has been a break in the off-season! The cost for packages and tickets for Wembley games have already been confirmed as of January 19th, and are as follows:
Level 2 Club Seating
| Position | One Game | Both Games |
| Premium Sideline Central | £156 | £280.80 |
| Premium Sideline | £151 | £271.80 |
| Club End Zone | £111 | £199.80 |
General Admission Seating
| Position | One Game | Both Games |
| Cat 1 | £116 | £208/80 |
| Cat 2 | £111 | £199.80 |
| Cat 3 | £83.50 | £150.30 |
| Cat 4 | £76 | £136.80 |
| Cat 5 | £73 | £132.30 |
| Cat 6 | £56 | £100.80 |
| Cat 7 | £51 | £91.80 |
| Cat 8 | £46 | £82.80 |
| Cat 9 | £41 | £73.80 |
| Child, blocks 127-131 | £23.50 | £46.50 |
| Child, blocks 513 514 & 518-520 | £21 | £42 |
Ticket prices for the game at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium have yet to be confirmed, so make sure to keep your eyes out in the run-up to the games to ensure that you don’t miss out!
What Teams Will Play?
Every season, the question around which teams will play is always one that circulates long before the season is even truly announced. Questions around whether college amateurs could go pro in time for the draft, or whether big Superbowl teams can hold onto their title are heavy in the headlines months before, but luckily we already know just who is playing in the first matches of the NFL International games in October. With Seattle Seahawks taking on Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur, and Jacksonville Jaguars vs Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans vs Los Angeles Chargers gracing the Wembley field, this year promises some exciting matches.
Seattle Seahawks
Based in, you guessed it, Seattle, this team is the pride of the city. At the end of the 2017 season, the Seattle Seahawks have officially competed 42 seasons in the NFL, and with the 2018 soon to start up, their streak is only looking to continue. Of their 42 seasons, the Seahawks have reached the playoffs in 16 of these seasons, and 2018 could take it up a notch.
Oakland Raiders
Based in Oakland – until they relocate to Las Vegas, that is – the Raiders are a member of the AFC West division, and have been playing in the NFL (or the original AFL) since 1960. Their team culture and dedicated fans are certainly something to note, and with players filled to the brim with passion for the game, they certainly show success when it’s needed. They have won 15 division titles overall, including three Superbowl championships.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been a part of the NFL in 1995, where they joined as expansion teams, and since their inception, they have gone on to win three division championships and have qualified for playoffs seven times – not bad for a fairly new team! In 2015, they were worth a whopping $1.48billion, and rightly so. They’re a promising team for this year, so watch this space.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are the champions of the 2017 Superbowl, their fourth Superbowl championship title so they truly are the ones to watch this year. Of course, this could all change as the season progresses, but if they play as well as they did in the previous season, they could put up quite a challenge for the Jacksonville Jaguars in October.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are worthy candidates for this year’s Superbowl title. In the 2017 season, they had 9 wins, 7 losses and no ties, but were the winners of the Wild Card Playoffs at a nail-biting 22-21. Their close calls might make it difficult to put much faith in them, but those looking for some tension in their gameplay will love watching the Tennessee Titans.
Los Angeles Chargers
Potentially the underdogs for the season, the big stories around the Los Angeles Chargers as of late have been their long awaited return to LA. The team itself is certainly one to watch, and taking them away from their new home turf to play at Wembley could see a whole new style of gameplay to shake up even the most consistent of players.
This year’s NFL is looking to be just as exciting as year’s previous, if not more so. With matches, prices and dates already being announced, the tension and anticipation for this season is already in full swing. Frankly, we can’t wait.