Old England samples New England on Sunday as the NFL's ever-increasing foray into international markets continues with the latest game in London. Brits get Patriots-Tampa Bay, meaning they'll see the best that American football has to offer, other than the Buccaneers.

I preferred it when the NFL confined its globe-trotting to preseason games, but the seal forever broke in 2005 when Mexico City hosted the first regular-season game outside the U.S. Pats-Bucs will mark the third straight year for a real game -- actually, closer to surreal -- at London's Wembley Stadium. Then later this year the Bills will play their second annual game in Toronto, with at least three more years to follow.

It has only just begun.

The NFL's expand-the-product initiative has identified five ``priority markets'' as Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The London game will become more than just an annual novelty.

``We are going to continue to follow that and fuel that,'' NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. ``We are considering playing multiple games in London as early as next year.'' He also acknowledges ``dialogue'' to play a game in Africa, most likely in Nigeria, and calls future expansion franchises abroad ``in the realm of possibility.''

This may be jingoism, but I'd like to keep the NFL an American league that plays in America. Some 240 countries get games or highlights on TV; isn't that enough?

As recently as 2007 Goodell even said ``we'll be looking at'' a possible Super Bowl in London. He has since backtracked due to the backlash, but has never definitively ruled it out. He should, without equivocation.

Moving America's ``national holiday'' abroad will be the Litmus test for when the NFL has irrevocably gone too far with its globalization.

Football gradually but inexorably surpassed baseball as America's Pastime. The sport will begin to relinquish that crown, by degrees, when the NFL gets too close to standing for National Foreign League.

Scatter-shooting:

• Ronnie = money: Since 2000, among active backs with at least 25 carries on third-and-2 or shorter, Dolphin Ronnie Brown ranks third with a conversion rate of 75.5 percent (40 for 53). Only better are Colt Joseph Addai, 79.2; and Viking Adrian Peterson, 77.8. Dolphins lead league converting third-and-2 or shorter this year at 85% (17-20).

• Pass happy: Eight QBs with passer ratings of 100-plus are most ever at this point in a season, and six others are in the 90s. Season record of four (1998, 2004) seems sure to be obliterated. Saint Drew Brees and Colt Peyton Manning are on pace to finish with the second- and fourth-highest rated seasons in history.

• Rolling sevens: Viking Brett Favre on Sunday can become the second QB since the 1970 merger to start 7-0 with a new team. The other: the forgettable Dieter Brock with the '85 Rams.

• Rolling 300s: The Colts' Manning has started the season with five consecutive 300-yard games. Record for most consecutive 300s is six, by Steve Young (1998), Kurt Warner (2000) and Rich Gannon (2002).

• 20/20 vision: Tampa's Ronde Barber, Denver's Brian Dawkins and retirees LeRoy Butler and Rodney Harrison are only DBs in history with at least 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. Closest to joining: Arizona's Adrian Wilson, with 19 sacks, 18 picks.

• Elite company: The Vikings' Peterson in 30 career starts is averaging 110.9 yards rushing per game. The only higher averages in first 30 starts: Eric Dickerson, 120.0; and Larry Johnson, 117.1.

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