NFL International Series - Buccaneers vs. Patriots

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The NFL's INTERNATIONAL SERIES of regular-season games will return to the United Kingdom in 2009 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 25 at Wembley Stadium. This year's contest will feature two teams that have played in five of the past eight Super Bowls.

"Over the past two years, we have seen first-hand the excitement that exists for our sport in the U.K.," says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. "The games have helped us to deepen our connection with our U.K. fans as well as create new ones. We are looking forward to another outstanding game in 2009."

The contest will mark the third consecutive year of an NFL regular-season game at London's Wembley Stadium, part of a multi-year commitment to play a limited number of regular-season games in the U.K. on an annual basis. In 2008, the New Orleans Saints defeated the San Diego Chargers 37-32 before a crowd of 83,226 (left).

"There are 32 teams in the NFL and the Saints and Chargers were just the third and fourth clubs to represent the NFL in London," says New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who passed for 339 yards and three touchdowns in the game. "That speaks volumes and I am honored to have been there."

The International Series began on October 28, 2007, when the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 13-10 en route to a victory in Super Bowl XLII.

MEANWHILE, IN TORONTO

The Buffalo Bills will continue their series of games in Toronto when they play the New York Jets on December 3 in a Thursday-night primetime matchup (NFL Network, 8:20 PM ET).

The contest marks the third of eight games over a five-year period for the Bills at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. NFL owners unanimously approved a plan last year for the Bills to play a regular-season game in Toronto – Canada's largest city – each year from 2008-12 and preseason games in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

"We are very pleased to be the first franchise in NFL history to split our schedule between our domestic home city of Buffalo, New York and our neighboring international city, Toronto, Ontario," says Bills owner and Pro Football Hall of Famer RALPH WILSON. "The population growth in Toronto, the passion the Canadian fans have shown for the Buffalo Bills and the vision of the late Ted Rogers of Rogers Communications and Larry Tanenbaum of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have made this possible."

 

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