London Calling 2010

England to host 49ers & Broncos in 2010 - With both the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos failing to make it to the playoffs this year, all signs point to a brighter future in 2010. & Just a few weeks after the final game of the regular season, it's been confirmed that next year, London will host two of the most storied franchises in all of football on October 31st. Wembley Stadium has been the setting for NFL games the past three years, drawing more than 80,000 fans per game. With past teams such as the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all having made the trip to play in Britain already, it'll be the first for both newly named franchises.

Although neither team benefits from a long flight halfway across the globe to play a game, the 49ers clearly get the shorter end of the stick, as the game will be substituted as one of San Francisco's home games. The extra game on the road will give them a disadvantage as far as their season schedule goes. It may not sound like too much of a bid deal since both team's will be playing away from their home crowd, but it could play a big factor in the 9ers record considering they only won two games this past season away from Candlestick, opposed to the six they won at home. However, if the 49ers plan on making it to the playoffs next season, they'll have to capitalize on road games, given that was a major weakness in their previous season down the stretch.

Regardless of a home game taken off his teams schedule, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary says his squad will be ready to go without a doubt, and sounded to be more honored of the chance to play across seas, rather than worried. Denver has played seven international exhibition games in the past, but none matching the significance of the match-up against the 49ers. Not only will it be a game with meaning, but it'll be a rematch of Superbowl XXIV. A game in which Joe Montana and company slaughtered John Elway's Broncos by a score of 55-10. The 45 point shellacking of the Broncos went on to be known as one of the most lopsided affairs in Superbowl history.

With one game already prepared, the commissioners office says they plan to explore the possibility of scheduling two games in the UK next season, hoping to expand the interest among international fans and one day possibly putting an expansion team in London. Something Commissioner Goddell said was of "tremendous interest" prior to last season's game in England. What's next on the list you ask? Manchester and Glasgow, Scotland could be potential venues to host NFL games in the mere future. With the aforementioned topic of one less 49er home game, the move to England has got to disappoint those who plan on getting season tickets. I know I'd be mad if I was a season ticket holder. But since I'm not, I love the fact that my team will be seen not only on screens across the U.S., but in front of those halfway across the globe as well.