Skip to content

Was Redskins-Bengals the NFL's best London game ever?

Matthew Childs / Reuters

The NFL's International Series has been a success on many levels. The stadiums are always full, the overseas fan base is growing, and the league is inching closer to a reality where a team is based in London.

But what the games haven't delivered is good football. Until Sunday.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins' tie was a truly memorable contest, not only because of its rare result - a draw, in English parlance. The contest featured big names going toe-to-toe (like A.J. Green and Josh Norman), big plays, missed opportunities (like the Redskins' missed game-winning kick) and plenty to cheer for.

Where does it rank among every NFL game played in London?

Bad games

Patriots 35, Buccaneers 7 - 2009

Not the only Patriots blowout on this list.

Bears 24, Buccaneers 18 - 2011

The score was close, but the quality of play was bad. Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman threw four interceptions.

Patriots 45, Rams 7 - 2012

The Patriots spotted the Rams a lead, then scored the next 45 points.

49ers 42, Jaguars 10 - 2013

The 49ers raced to a 28-0 lead, then cruised to victory in this snoozefest.

Dolphins 38, Raiders 14 - 2014

Two bad teams played a boring, bad game.

Cowboys 31, Jaguars 17 - 2014

Another ho-hum Jaguars game in London.

Chiefs 45, Lions 10 - 2015

The 1-6 Lions never had a chance.

Giants 17, Rams 10 - 2016

Case Keenum threw four interceptions. The game's only good play was Giants safety Landon Collins' weaving pick-six.

Tolerable games

Giants 13, Dolphins 10 - 2007

In the NFL's London debut, the winless Dolphins couldn't beat the Giants despite Eli Manning throwing for only 59 yards on a rainy and muddy day. The novelty of a game in London made this one more tolerable.

Jets 27, Dolphins 14 - 2015

Chris Ivory ran for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown, and the Jets' defense strangled the Dolphins.

49ers 24, Broncos 16 - 2010

The Broncos scored late to make the game close, but couldn't overcome the Troy Smith-led 49ers.

Jaguars 30, Colts 27 - 2016

A shoddily played game ended up being within a field goal at the end, so that counts for something.

Almost good games

Saints 37, Chargers 32 - 2008

The Saints held a big lead in the fourth quarter before the Chargers made it close. Former teammates Drew Brees and Philip Rivers combined for 680 yards and six touchdown passes.

Vikings 34, Steelers 27 - 2013

A physical battle that saw Adrian Peterson run for 140 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Vikings outlast the Steelers despite Ben Roethlisberger's 383 yards passing.

Lions 22, Falcons 21 - 2014

The Lions came back from a 21-0 deficit. Matt Prater kicked a game-winning field goal on his second try after his first kick, a miss, was called back on a delay of game penalty.

Jaguars 34, Bills 31 - 2015

The Jaguars gave up a huge lead, then won the game with a late touchdown pass from Blake Bortles to Allen Hurns. This one looked like another London dud, then got very entertaining at the end.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox