Which NFL franchise matches your Premier League team?
By David Gate
8. Burnley = Jacksonville Jaguars
Two teams that will smash you in the mouth. And they won’t apologize. Burnley manager Sean Dyche and Jaguars coach Doug Marrone share a mistrust of risk tasking, attacking play. They both want to have a nasty defense and use a battering ram to break the opposition. Burnley have Chris Wood who carries the Burnley attack single-handedly. The Jaguars have Leonard Fournette who is there to keep the ball out of the hands of Blake Bortles.
7. Newcastle United = Washington Redskins
These sides are matched in that they have crazy owners. Idiocentric leaders who have a fondness for firing coaches and getting involved in the football side of the business that they don’t really understand. Yet somehow they regularly manage to find a coach and some players who can get them wins.
Current Newcastle boss has taken from the Championship into 7th in the Premier League. Jay Gruden did something similar taking them from a 3-13 record to top of the division and back into the playoffs.
6. Watford = Philadelphia Eagles
Two young offensive coaches are taking these teams way beyond the preseason expectations. Some smart off-season purchases (Alshon Jeffrey for PHI and Richarlison for WAT) have elevated these sides. Both teams are looking at the possibility of their best seasons in recent memory. The key for both will be to hold on to their coveted coaches; Marco Silva at Watford and Doug Pederson at the Eagles.
5. Arsenal = Pittsburg Steelers
These teams have a history of defensive strength but currently rest on their ability to attack. Arsenal were famous under George Graham for winning 1-0. The Steelers have had a top defense many times over the years.
Though both teams are now known for explosive offenses that don’t work as often as they should. Arsene Wenger and Mike Tomlin are similar too. Both have won titles and are very unlikely to ever face the sack because of that past success. Yet you get the feeling that the only way to create a new future maybe to move on from that romantic past.