Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL returns to London with two October games

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the NFL to cancel its slate of international games last season, but four teams booked their tickets to London on Wednesday.

The NFL announced that the Atlanta Falcons will take on the New York Jets on Oct. 10, and the Jacksonville Jaguars will play the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 17. Both matchups will be at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Dolphins, Falcons and Jaguars were among teams scheduled to play in London last year. 

The Jags have a particularly lengthy history with playing overseas. They have played one home game in London in each season except 2020 since 2013. Jacksonville now hinges hope on newly drafted No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence to give Londoners something exciting to watch considering the team has not won there since 2017.

Generally speaking, London fans will be treated to seeing the NFL's youth wave in person. Along with top selection Lawrence, No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson will presumably quarterback the Jets. 

The Dolphins also boast a slew of young talent, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, 2020's No. 5 overall pick. While the Falcons are still headlined by veteran All-Pros Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, they took one of the most exciting players in this year's draft in tight end Kyle Pitts at fourth overall.

The full 2021 NFL schedule release will begin at 8 p.m. EST Wednesday on NFL Network.

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