LONDON (AFP) — As the New York Giants made their weary way home after an historic 13-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins, it was clear NFL's London adventure had made its muddy mark on players and fans.
The sport's moneymen will be delighted that a near-capacity crowd of 81,176 ignored atrocious weather to pack into Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the first regular-season match to be played outside North America.
The attendance was an indication American football can thrive outside its traditional terrority, especially when you consider the rival attractions of four Premier League football matches on Sunday, including Liverpool's big clash against Arsenal.
Few sports can match Gridiron for glitz and glamour, and it was just as well the full package was on display in the English capital.
With heavy rain teeming down through most of the contest's three-hour duration, it was inevitably a sloppy affair. But there was still enough action to send the fans home happy with their first taste of the NFL.
Inspired by Brandon Jacobs's career-high 132 yards rushing and quarter-back Eli Manning's 10-yard touchdown run, the Giants held off a Dolphins revival to extend their winning run to six matches.
Ted Ginn Jr's late 21-yard touchdown catch from Cleo Lemon's pass had given Miami hope, but they were unable to prevent a eighth consecutive defeat.
The league hopes to play two fixtures outside the United States next season and, despite the disruption to his usual game-week routine, Giants coach Tom Coughlin believes the experience was worthwhile.
"I'd be glad to give my opinion to the commissioner," he said. "It's worked for us because they gave us a bye next week to recover, but we still had to adjust our schedule and get work done before we came here.
"You do get into a comfort zone with your schedule so it's not easy to adapt.
"The people were wonderful to us though and it was a good experience. It was nice to walk into the stadium with a visiting team and not get booed!
"The fans were great. They were really loud."
Winning quarterback Manning admitted it had been hard to keep focused in such unusual circumstances, but he had no doubts the trip had been a success.
"It throws your schedule off a bit but you have to stay focused on your goals," he said. "I enjoyed it. I'm proud to be part of the first team to play here.
"I tried to play smart and I thought I managed the game well."
One thing all the players and coaches agreed on was that the conditions made it hard to produce a perfect game for their new fans.
Giants defensive end Michael Strahan said: "It was nasty. Conditions like that are good for the running game but as defenders we can't get out footing and rush the passer. It handicapped us."
Dolphins star Jason Taylor conceded the weather had been a factor but refused to use it as an excuse for defeat: "It's the same for both teams. It was a typical NFL game when it rains. If you go to Green Bay in November and it rains you'll get the same game."
Miami's woeful season shows no signs of improving and under-pressure coach Cam Cameron will start a mid-season evalution process as his squad make their long flight.
Cameron said: "We need to evaluate everything we've done because we've got eight games still staring at us. The effort was there but the execution wasn't.
"There will be an evaluation of everything; offense, defence and special teams. I know I'm being evaluated as well.
"It's something I'm looking forward to. There are a lot of things we have to look at.
"That is how we grow and get better. If we can handle it right it will build our resolve."
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