29.09.2013 The NFL returns to Wembley Stadium for the seventh time in as many seasons on Sunday 29th September 2013 when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Minnesota Vikings.
The contest will be the first time either the Steelers or Vikings have played in the UK so will be a huge occasion for all involved. Pittsburgh and Minnesota are the latest in a long line of teams to take part in the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium which in the past has seen the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers make the journey across the pond. The series began in 2007 when the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins and annually attracts over 80,000 spectators. 2013 will be the first time Wembley Stadium has hosted two regular season NFL games which shows the growing popularity of the sport in the UK.
Despite being only three weeks into the regular season, both Minnesota and Pittsburgh are in desperate need of a win to keep any remaining post-season hopes alive as they both go into the game with 0-3 records. The Steelers lost their opening game of the season to the Tennessee Titans followed by a defeat at the Cincinnati Bengals and a home loss to the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, the Vikings began their season with a loss at the Detroit Lions and then were defeated by a single point at the Chicago Bears. Minnesota were also defeated most recently at home by the Cleveland Browns. Their poor starts to the season leave the Pittsburgh Steelers bottom of the AFC North and the Minnesota Vikings bottom of the NFC North.
Although both Wembley bound teams have struggled so far this season, neither side finished last season with a losing record and the Minnesota Vikings even made it into the play-offs. The Pittsburgh Steelers can boast that they are the most successful team in NFL history in terms of Superbowl wins having lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy on six occasions. Steelers fans in the UK will be looking forward to seeing two time Superbowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger play at Wembley along with influential safety Troy Polamalu whereas Vikings fans can look forward to watching star running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Greg Jennings. Although there are only two teams involved, there is likely to be UK fans of all 32 NFL teams in attendance this coming Sunday.
