Some of the NFL's worst teams will play in London in 2017

American football fans may be left feeling a little underwhelmed by the games on offer in the NFL fixtures scheduled for London next year.

Three of the worst six sides in the league so far this season will play in the capital, while not one of the eight teams scheduled to travel across the Atlantic is currently in a play-off position.

The first two games at Wembley in early October pit the Miami Dolphins against the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Baltimore Ravens.

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The next session, at Twickenham, will see the Cleveland Browns host the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams face the Arizona Cardinals.

Three of the sides - the Ravens, Browns and Cardinals - will be making their London debuts.

It is the first time that four games have been held in the UK and "the expansion means London will host the equivalent of half of a regular season as it builds towards becoming the potential full-time home of an NFL franchise", says Sky Sports.

However, fans will hope any UK-based team performs better than some of the sides visiting next year. London regulars Jacksonville and debutants Cleveland are the two worst sides in the AFC and between them, they have only won two games all season.

The Rams, who are owned by Arsenal chairman Stan Kroenke, have won four matches out of 13 this campaign, but this week sacked their head coach Jeff Fisher. Like the Browns and Jaguars, they have no hope of making the play-offs.

Only Miami, Baltimore and Minnesota have winning records so far this season.

Even the New York Times appears slightly sheepish about the choice of teams. "The matchups are, well, not great," it says.

"Fans in Britain have shown little discernment over the NFL fare served up to them over the years, generally selling out every game in no time... This lineup will test even the most enthusiastic Briton’s patience."

London NFL fixtures 2017

Baltimore Ravens vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium (week 3 or 4)

New Orleans Saints vs Miami Dolphins - Wembley Stadium (week 3 or 4)

Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns - Twickenham Stadium (week 7 or 8)

Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams - Twickenham Stadium (week 7 or 8)