It was technically a home game for the Atlanta Falcons home game, but with the range of colorful jerseys on display providing a vivid backdrop to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, it was as much a gathering of football fans. .
Rival fans in make-up sat side by side, buying each other drinks rounds, taking the opportunity to watch the sport they love, but have been deprived of for two years due to the Covid pandemic. 19.
The NFL was back in London as the Falcons beat the New York Jets 27-20 in front of a crowd of 60,589.
While the match took place on British soil in front of predominantly British fans, Sunday's debates began with some traditional American razzmatazz.
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Shortly after the England national anthem, Marisha Wallace sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" - from the top of the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
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f the event was impressively choreographed, there were a few hiccups as the Falcons seemed to have forgotten their net in which kicker Younghoe Koo would normally use to warm up.
Demonstrating "British ingenuity" according to Dan Hanzus of NFL Network, the stadium organizers created a makeshift net with a net between two ladders.
However, that didn't affect the South Korean kicker, as he pulled off all four of his first-half attempts as the Falcons led 20-3.
With 1:42 minutes left in the first quarter, rookie sensation Kyle Pitts scored the first touchdown of his NFL career, connecting with quarterback Matt Ryan two yards away.
Aside from a rare foray by rookie quarterback Zach Wilson that ended in a field goal, the Falcons dominated most of the first half, scoring their second touchdown on a blue-sky fall day. in London thanks to Hayden Hurst.
Perhaps rejuvenated by rapper Aitch's halftime show, the Jets found some rhythm to get back into the game, with Ty Johnson's point blank touchdown reducing the deficit.
Although the Jets' defense provided a few turnovers to keep them in the game, Wilson and the offense couldn't capitalize as mistakes, mistakes and penalties halted their practices.
The Jets were able to get something midway through the second quarter, however, with Wilson providing a few clutch throws on the way to Michael Carter reducing the deficit to just three points.
The first-year quarterback's display of determination lifted Jets fans from their seats and rocked Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as an unlikely return loomed.
But that was not the case as the home side reaffirmed their lead with a late touchdown from Mike Davis.
While most Falcons fans will have a much shorter return trip than their team, Ryan and his company will return to the United States with a happy group.
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