The NFL returns to London for the third time this season and the second week in a row, for a game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington. Neither team has quite met expectations this year and both are looking for a critical win to stay afloat in the playoff picture.
NFL London 2016 live stream: How to watch Bengals vs. Washington online
The final Sunday morning game in the U.K. this year is here.
The game will be televised on FOX and cable/satellite subscribers can stream it online at Fox Sports GO.
It’s been kind of a strange, up-and-down season for Washington. After stumbling out of the gate at 0-2, the team rattled off a four-game winning streak and looked to be a real player in the NFC East. However, they suffered a setback in Week 7, allowing Matthew Stafford to rally the Detroit Lions to a 20-17 win. Kirk Cousins had good stats, completing 30 of 39 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown, but he also committed three fumbles and lost one. Matt Jones also lost a fumble and the turnover differential ultimately swung the game in Detroit’s favor.
Now 4-3, Washington is in danger of falling further behind the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles in the division if it doesn’t get back in the win column. However, the team has an even bigger worry at the moment after star cornerback Josh Norman left last week’s game with a concussion. Norman is listed as questionable, but the fact he flew to London with the team indicates that he’ll be ready to play. Still, his status will be touch-and-go up until kickoff.
Although the Bengals are just 3-4, they’re still in a decent spot in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens stumbling in recent weeks. They’re coming off a 31-17 win over the Cleveland Browns that was actually closer than the score makes it appear. A.J. Green stole the show with a ridiculous Hail Mary catch at the end of the second quarter that gave the Bengals a 21-10 lead at halftime. Later in the game, Jeremy Hill ripped off a 74-yard touchdown run that essentially put the Browns away.
Tyler Eifert made his return for Cincinnati last week and is expected to play a bigger role on the offense after seeing just 15 snaps against the Bengals. His presence should go a long way towards fixing the Bengals’ red-zone woes. It would also help if Hill is truly breaking out of his slump -- his 168-yard Week 7 performance was the first time all year he cleared 100 rushing yards, although he got only nine carries while Giovani Bernard logged 17. That running back duo hasn’t been as effective this year as they have in the past, and they’ll play a critical role in determining whether Cincy will get back to the playoffs.
The London games have been known for sloppy play and underwhelming matchups, and with the Bengals and Washington both playing inconsistent football this year, that trend probably won’t be broken here. The main goal will be avoiding injuries and getting to the bye week with a solid win behind them, as they prepare for the season’s stretch run.
How to watch
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Place: Wembley Stadium, London
TV: FOX
Announcers: Kenny Albert, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
Online: Sunday Ticket, Fox Sports GO
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