Irish NFL fan in America Trip 2 Review (Chicago & Buffalo).

A tale of two cities.

Chicago and Buffalo. Two very different cities. Bills and the Bears. Two very different teams.

I didn’t spend a lot of time in Buffalo (only 17 hours) but I’ve seen livelier places. It was a ghost town. Chicago on the other hand was absolutely vibrant.

However, their teams did not match their cities. The Bears game was entirely forgettable. Soldier field subdued. The brand of football unexciting. Even their jerseys are dull. I left with almost no love for the Bears.

It probably didn't help that the Jets are one of the weakest teams in the NFL this year and really struggled in this game on both sides of the ball. The Bears were certainly too good for them on this occasion, not that they really needed to be.

And then I went to Buffalo.

I said at the end of my last blog that Chicago and Buffalo would have to bring the party to me as I hadn’t got much planned and by Jesus did Buffalo oblige.

I don’t know what a frat party is but I’m guessing I walked in on one in New Era field on Monday night. 

I knew within 5 miles of the stadium that it was going to be good. Parties bopping, stereos pumping, say what you want about Buffalo they know how to party.

You know when you’re driving up to a stadium or a concert or whatever and you get within a mile or two of the stadium and you just think “this is going to be good.” That was exactly what driving up to New Era field was like.

It may have been because it was Monday night football. It may have been because it was the Patriots, but I have a good feeling you could go to any Bills game against any opponent at anytime and be almost guaranteed a good time.

They are going to be hard beaten. I literally sprinted into the club store soon as I got there to buy a hat and jersey and believe you me I ain’t rich enough to be doing that each time. I felt physically compelled, drawn to their merchandise like a magnet. Only then could I possibly feel comfortable. Only then could I settle in. It was almost tribe-like.

I’ll put it like this. The idea crossed my mind to drop the whole tour and just buy a Bills season ticket instead. It was that good.
The area in and around New Era Field was absolutely bouncing. It was like a rock concert. It was raw, it was loud, it was wild, it was totally compelling. I didn’t want to go to the game it was so good outside! But I did and that was great too. There is just such a great party atmosphere at Bills’ games. It’s a sight to behold.

I don’t know if I’m going to see a more exciting team than them to be honest. I know I’m only 4 games in and 28 to go but I will be very surprised if any team tops it. It was that good.

Chicago itself was a marvellous city with lots to do and see I’d say you could spend a year there and still not have seen a lot of it. The lake running through the middle of it makes it very beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone for a holiday vacation.

Buffalo not so much. But for game-day, there might be no better.

Buffalo - City (Didn't see one! N/A).

Buffalo - Bills Gameday experience 9.5/10.

Chicago - City 8/10.
Chicago - Bears Gameday experience 3/10.