The International Series – which has seen games contested in the UK, Germany, and Mexico – has been a massive success, and it is only a matter of time before the sport of American Football reaches more corners of the globe. Australia has certainly shifted toward American sports in recent years, as demonstrated by Perth’s hosting of the WWE Elimination Chamber event, as well as Alexander Volkanovski’s unsuccessful attempt to usurp Islam Makhachev as the UFC lightweight champion.
As such, it should come as no surprise to hear that the popularity of the NFL in the land “Down Under” has risen as well. The most recent campaign came to a close on February 11th when the Kansas City Chiefs lifted their second straight Lombardi – and their third in five years – with their victory against the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
While America’s premier league has just drawn to a close, there is plenty more football action available for fans to enjoy, and perhaps even take a wager on, as many people love to do. Indeed, sports betting seems to be on the rise, and there are many websites providing CFL odds and betting opportunities online, particularly for a tournament that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the +225 favourites to win. Betting isn’t everything in sports, but it unquestionably increases the drama and excitement for those who engage in it!
If you’re new to the NFL but located Down Under, how do you pick a team? Here’s our guided tour on how to select your NFL side based on the Aussie city you call home.
Sydney: Seattle Seahawks, the Warriors of the Gridiron
Sydney, with its vibrant, energetic lifestyle, finds a fitting match in the Seattle Seahawks. Renowned for their passionate “12th Man” fanbase, the Washington state side boasts a rich recent history with a Super Bowl win and has consistently been in the mix for the title. With a penchant for the spectacular, the franchise is like the Sydney Opera House itself – a beacon of skill, spectacle, and headline-making performances.
Over the course of the last decade, they have reached the postseason eight out of ten times. Last season was one such case in which they didn’t, narrowly being pipped to a qualifying spot by the Green Bay Packers due to a tiebreaker. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t have an impressive campaign, and they are expected to come on strong next year as well.
Their glory period came around a decade ago when their fearsome Legion of Boom defence, coupled with running back supremo Marshawn Lynch, led them to back-to-back Super Bowls. They won one in dominant fashion, destroying the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the most lopsided Big Game in history. The following year, however, they fell to defeat at the hands of Tom Brady and his New England Patriots.
Melbourne: Kansas City Chiefs, the Powerhouse
Melbourne has a no-nonsense, business-first approach| and as such, we’d have usually coupled them with the New England Patriots, who are the most successful team in the history of the NFL. However, in recent years, they have fallen off a cliff and last year, they were statistically the second-worst team in the entire league after winning just four games all year. As such, we have to turn our attention to the league’s newest dynasty, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Like Melbourne City in the A-League, who have reached the last four Grand Finals, the Chiefs have reached four Super Bowls in the last five years, winning three of them. They have lifted the Lombardi in each of the last two years and next season, they have the opportunity to become the first in history to complete the elusive threepeat. Spearheaded by the incomparable Patrick Mahomes, it would take a brave punter to bet against them, just as it would for one to bet against the Garden City’s soccer team reaching yet another A-League finale.
Perth: Los Angeles Rams, the Modern Adventurers
Energetic and forward-looking, Perth shares qualities with the Los Angeles Rams. As the NFL continues its international push, the Rams represent a pioneering spirit, seeking new horizons, much like Perth itself, which continues to attract marquee event after marquee event. The Rams’ bold move from St. Louis to the glitz of L.A. reflects Perth’s growing reputation as a city on the rise, ever seeking out new opportunities.
Their crowning moment came in 2022 as they faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals in their home SoFI Stadium. And just like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium the year before, they ran out victorious. Unlike the Bucs though, they made hard work of it. It looked as though it would be Joe Burrow and Co. that would secure the Lombardi, but a last-gasp Cooper Kupp touchdown secured the victory for the Cali outfit.
Adelaide: Buffalo Bills, the Blue-Collar Heroes
Adelaide’s industrious charm finds resonance with the Buffalo Bills. Working against the perception of being a small market, the New York State side has garnered a huge following thanks to their relentless playing style. Like Adelaide, the Bills make the most of what they have and don’t shy away from hard work – a quality that endears them to their supporters.
Buffalo are the only team in history to reach four straight Super Bowls, but they unfathomably lost all four. They are without an appearance in the Big Game since 1993, but with quarterback Josh Allen at the helm, a first-ever foray to the NFL mountaintop is surely just around the corner.