Just weeks after the Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, American Football is back at Wembley for its second and final visit of the 2013 NFL season.
A month on from a thrilling encounter between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars take on the San Francisco 49ers.
As runners-up in the 2013 Super Bowl, the 49ers will be strong favourites to claim victory at the home of English soccer.
After a slightly shaky start to the season, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has got the team hitting their stride and focussing on the play offs.
Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking for inspiration to lift what has so far been a dreadful season for them.
As well as the Jaguars, Shad Khan owns Premier League club Fulham and there has been much talk of the Jaguars relocating to London to become the NFL’s first overseas franchise.
They will be desperate to put on a strong show in front of thousands of prospective supporters.
The Jags have made a disastrous start to the new season, suffering five straight defeats for the first time in their history.
After shaky performances in weeks two and three, the 49ers are back in business.
The side who fell to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII are now 5-2, largely thanks to a strong defensive line.
Jim Harbaugh’s men will also have fond memories of their last trip to the English capital.
They took on the Denver Broncos in 2010 and produced a stunning fourth-quarter fightback to triumph.
The 49ers trailed by 13 points heading into the final period. But touchdowns from Troy Smith, Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree stole the spoils.
Such is the popularity of American football in the United Kingdom that the NFL have announced three games will take place in London in 2014.
“Our fans in the UK continue to demonstrate their passion for more football,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
“Next year for the first time we will play three regular-season games in London. We have scheduled three attractive games with four teams playing in their first International Series game.
“The growing enthusiasm for the NFL internationally is exciting and we look forward to continuing to respond to this interest in our game.”
NFL’s second visit to Wembley will be broadcast live on free-to-air television with Channel 4 as well as on Sky Sports.
Channel 4 will have all the action covered once again from from Wembley, presented by Colin Murray.
Analysis and comment in the studio comes from respected NFL broadcaster Mike Carlson as well as number of special guests, plus pitchside reports from Nat Coombs.
Build-up to the game begins half-an-hour before kick-off at 5.00pm and this time around the entire match will be shown on Channel 4 and in high-definition on Channel 4 HD.
Further analysis and post-match reaction can be found on Channel 4′s digital station More4 and More4 HD from 8.00pm onwards, where coverage continues for another half-an-hour.
Fans can watch Channel 4 and More4′s live coverage online for free via channel4.com, or catch-up shortly after transmission via 40D.
Channel 4 regained its status as the home of the NFL on terrestrial television this season after signing a two-year deal to screen Sunday night games, the two Wembley international contests, and the Super Bowl.
A preview of Sunday’s second Wembley clash of the season will also feature in Channel 4’s weekly Saturday morning highlights programme ‘The American Football Show’, hosted by Vernon Kay, at 9.00am.
Sky Sports will also provide comprehensive live coverage of the NFL’s final visit to Wembley this season.
Kevin Cadle introduces coverage of the match with a full one-hour build-up ahead of a 5.00pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports 2 and in high-definition on Sky Sports 2 HD.
Regular Sky Sports analysts Neil Reynolds and Cecil Martin join Cadle in the studio.
Subscribers can view the game on the move via Sky Go on PCs, mobiles and tablet devices, plus a special half-hour preview show, hosted by Cadle and Reynolds, will be shown on Saturday evening on Sky Sports.
Both Channel 4 and Sky Sports will use the coverage and commentary feed provided by host broadcaster FOX, who will be screening the game in the United States.
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Saturday 26th October
The American Football Show
9.00am-10.00am Channel 4
NFL London Preview
8.00pm-8.30pm Sky Sports 3
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Sunday 27th October
San Francisco 49ers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Kick-off: 17:00 | Wembley Stadium
LIVE: 4.30pm-8.00pm Channel 4 / 8.00pm-8.30pm More4
LIVE: 4.00pm-8.15pm Sky Sports 2
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