NFL London 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New England Patriots

On Sunday 25th October 2009, Wembley Stadium will play host to its third NFL regular season game as part of the NFL International Series. Following the huge success of the games in 2007 and 2008, the NFL is bringing two of its best known franchises across the Atlantic in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, with the Buccs the designated home team.

The Patriots agreeing to play in this game is a real coup for both the NFL and NFL UK as they are without doubt the most successful team of recent times, winning the Superbowl three times since the turn of the Millenium and appearing in a further Superbowl in 2008, on the back of the first ever 16-0 season, before being beaten by the New York Giants. As result of this success, the Patriots have a big fan base in the UK and Europe and are sure to be well supported at Wembley and will only add to the rush when Wembley Tickets go on sale.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also enjoyed Superbowl success in recent times, winning Superbowl XXXVII in 2003 as well as making it to the Play Offs in 2005 and 2007. The Buccs already have a connection to another great sporting brand name on UK shores, with team owner, Malcolm Glazer, also the owner of Manchester United, the most famous soccer team in England, so don't be surprised to see Sir Alex Ferguson and several Manchester United players supporting the Buccs at Wembley on October 25th.

Both the Buccaneers and Patriots missed out on making the Play Offs in the 2008 NFL season but both teams will be looking to make amends in 2009. The Patriots suffered a huge set back early on in the season, loosing Quarterback Tom Brady, to a knee injury and by the time replacement Matt Cassel found his feet it was too late and they missed out in the race for the AFC East Division to the Miami Dolphins on the final weekend of the season. The 2009 season looks much brighter for the Pats, who finsihed the seaosn on a four gmae winning streak and with Brady ready for a return from injury, coach Bill Belichick will have a headache when dedicing what to do at Quartrback position with Matt Cassel nolonger likely to settle for a supporting role.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will also be hoping for better forutnes in 2009, the Buccs missed out in the NFC South after losing their final four matches, costing coach, Jon Gruden , his job. The Buccs have promoted Raheem Morris, to the psoition as Head Coaches from his former role as Defensive Backs Coach and he is sure to want to make an impression.

Some of the superstars set to grace the Wembley Turf for this mouth watering clash include for the New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Wide Receivers, Randy Moss and Wes Welker, Running Back Sammy Morris and on Defense, Tedy Bruschi and Jerod Mayo. For the Buccaneers, stars include Pro Bowl Linebacker Derrick Brooks, Running Back Warwick Dunne and Receiver Antonio Bryant. There is a also a good chance that the Buccs will also have a new Quarterback in place for the start of the new season.