It’s hard not to compare the NFL to the Premier League. Both leagues have seen unparalleled levels of success and dominate sports channels in their respective countries. Comparing football and soccer is always a compelling subject, as it’s known everywhere else as football, which often causes hilarious debates online.
The most popular sport in America and the most popular sport everywhere else share a name, but the games’ similarities stop there. However, the leagues share several teams with close traits, so what NFL teams are most like Premier League teams?
Philadelphia Eagles – Leicester City
The similarities between these two teams are startling. Leicester City is the preeminent Cinderella story in sports. They were in the third tier of English football in 2008. Eight years later, they were Premier League champions for the first time. Leicester is desperate not to be a one-season wonder, with a chance to win the FA cup this month. They go into the game as the underdog, with Chelsea the favorite at +100 in the FA Cup betting. However, Leicester is known for pulling off some shock results.
Similarly, two years after the Foxes’ title win, The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. In 2018, after not making the postseason since 2013, they beat the powerhouse Patriots, who had legendary duo Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. The Pats won in 2015, 2017 and would win in 2019 in a dominant period. However, backup QB Nick Foles and the Eagles interrupted the run with a David vs. Goliath victory.
Dallas Cowboys – Manchester United
The comparisons between these two legendary teams are pretty obvious. Both teams are known even outside their respective sports circles. The Cowboys are America’s team and, since their dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United has become a globally loved soccer club.
Success is part of the equation; what is eerily similar is the timing. Manchester United won their first European Cup under Sir Matt Busby in 1968; three years later, the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl. In the early 90s, both teams saw a new era of success as the Cowboys recaptured the Super Bowl in 92, while Manchester United won the Premier League in 93.
In the modern day, both teams are struggling to recapture past glories and win trophies. Nevertheless, both teams still enjoy commercial success, and both sets of fans will remind you of their former triumphs!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Manchester City
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not a historically significant franchise, with their only Super Bowl before last year coming in 2003. However, that could all change. After adding Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown to an already talented O-line and defense, the Bucs instantly won the Super Bowl. They seem to be set up for further success next year.
Similarly, Manchester City was not even guaranteed to be in the Premier League every year before Sheikh Mansour took over the club. After adding a litany of talent and Guardiola as the coach, they have been the best team in the league somewhat consistently.
The NFL and Premier League both have rabid fan bases that will claim their league or sport is the best. Sometimes it’s fun to look at the similarities rather than focusing on the differences.
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