What’s In Store This Season For The UK’s Favorite NFL Teams

American football has rightfully taken its place amongst the hearts of sporting fans in the UK as one of their favorite sports disciplines apart from football, or soccer as they call it in the US and Canada and Rugby. It doesn’t come as a surprise though, given the global reach and level of popularity that the NFL has amassed, especially with events like the Super Bowl becoming one of the most-watched televised sporting events in the year. British sportsbooks have gone as far as to offer American football fans all sorts of wagering options based on the NFL, like betting on the best NFL picks against the spread week in and week out during the pro football regular season and postseason.

According to recent surveys, a few different teams stand out as the most popular amongst UK native NFL fans, with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers all taking the top spots in levels of popularity. So let’s get into what’s in store for these teams in the upcoming 2021 NFL season.

New York Giants

It comes as a certain surprise to find that the New York Giants top the list as the most popular NFL team in the UK. With teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or other franchises topping the popularity charts everywhere it’s interesting to see that the Giants have found their way into UK NFL fans. Now, while the Giants have stayed at a competitive level in the past NFL seasons, it’s no secret that fans are eagerly waiting for a turn-around season sooner rather than later.

Defensively the Giants can boast about having a solid defensive line and secondary, nothing too flashy but still enough to get the work done. It’s offensively where the Giants could see their winning aspirations be hit. While Daniel Jones at QB will be immensely grateful for a WR core that includes the likes of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Kyle Rudolph alongside Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Evan Engram and a RB department led by the all-star runner Saquon Barkley, it’s the offensive line that might end up killing all of the Giants’ hopes.

If New York can’t find a way to protect Jones and Barkley, the chances of there being a winning season here are slimming more and more as time goes by. For Giants fans in the UK you can either expect good vibes from the Giants if the O-line steps up for the challenge or you can expect a season where Jones and company will be put through a world of hurt.

Miami Dolphins

Being a fan of the Miami Dolphins, at least in the US, usually goes hand in hand with being able to take as many jabs and low blows as possible while still keeping your head up and trying to keep an optimistic look about football. But, we’re talking about Dolphins fans in the UK, so you’re good. Unlike other seasons, this upcoming 2021 season looks more promising than ever for the Miami Dolphins. While beating out the Bills for the AFC East crown is a scenario made out of opium fantasies, that does not mean that this Miami team will be doomed, it’s actually the other way around with Miami gearing up to what could be a season where a playoff berth, through a wildcard spot could perfectly well be in the plans.

Miami has a great QB at Tua Tagovailoa who will be out to prove any doubters of his skills wrong and of course it doesn’t hurt that he will have a receiver supporting cast with the likes of Will Fuller, DeVante Parker and rookie Jaylen Waddle. On the defensive side of the ball, dominance has been shown, especially with the guidance of HC Brian Flores and Miami’s secondary, led by star CB Xavien Howard, will be ready to keep all opposing offenses grounded. Expect a very good Miami Dolphins team UK fans, I know it’s hard to believe right now, but the payoff could end up being great.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have all the materials needed to be one of the most popular NFL teams worldwide. They have had a global presence since the glorious Joe Montana-Jerry Rice days and it has continued to keep the Niners as perennial international favorites since those days. In the UK the story is no different with San Francisco being one of the most popular franchises for American football fans. Now, if we were to base the level of popularity on wins, then last season could’ve perfectly caused the Niners to slip in the popularity ranks, but this is a team that is ready to bounce back from an abnormal season into championship contention.

Now, the question here is, who will be the QB for San Francisco this season? While all signs point to former New England backup QB Jimmy Garoppollo being the starter, at least for the beginning of the season, there is no escaping the fact that San Francisco is gearing up to hand over the reins of the team to rookie QB sensation Trey Lance. He has made an immediate positive impact with fans as well as coaches and teammates. This Niners team needs an offensive leader to pair up with what this defense is able to do when completely healthy. Be it Jimmy G or Trey Lance, if one of the two can truly step up as the new leader of San Francisco’s offense, this could be a very good year for 49ers fans.