Scotland's Lawrence Tynes kicked it all off in 2007.

The NFL International Series moves to a new level this year with Wembley hosting the first of two games when Pittsburgh Steelers take on Minnesota Vikings tomorrow.

The fact neither side has managed a win this season is of little consequence. More than 84,000 tickets have been sold and next month's match on the same turf between Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers (another two teams who have made disappointing starts to their respective seasons) is all but sold out.

When Greenock-born Tynes kicked the New York Giants to an ugly mudfest 13-10 win over Miami Dolphins six years ago, there was a lukewarm reaction.

The players were not happy with the field and it took time for it to recover from the battering of two NFL teams going at full throttle.

The following month, England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 ended when they lost 3-2 to Croatia with some claiming the surface had not recovered from the NFL gatecrashing.

However unsightly that first regular-season match in Europe was, the Giants used it to kick-start their season and they went on to win the Super Bowl that year with Tynes playing his part.

NFL teams now seem happy to use it as an extended road trip even if preparations vary.

The Vikings have been in London since Tuesday but the Steelers did not arrive until yesterday. It is a must-win match for both teams as dropping to 0-4 would leave any play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

The success of playing games in London has encouraged talk of a franchise being set up in the city in the future, something the NFL is not averse to as it seeks to extend its horizons. There is clearly an appetite for the sport as consistently sold-out games bear witness but selling out a season, especially if it is an indifferent one, is another matter.

Tomorrow's match will give fans the chance to see two of the NFL's superstars with running back Adrian Peterson seeking to get his Vikings season into gear and Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger trying to spark his team. Peterson scored on a 78-yard touchdown run on the Vikings' first snap of the season but since then has averaged a paltry three yards per carry.

"We've just go to keep going, to keep grinding, to keep pounding," Peterson said, "I have faith that our running game is going to open up and explode.

"We just have to stay patient and eventually everything will open up. We're 0-3 now, it's time for us to get a win. It's critical going into the "bye" week.

"The overall mood in the locker-room is pretty good. Considering being 0-3, the guys are upbeat and positive. Of course, there's a sense of urgency but we believe in each other and we're confident we can get back on track."

"Hopefully, as the designated home team we'll have the majority of the fans. Whatever the atmosphere is, we know we have to get a win and that's our main focus."