According to a report appearing on ESPNChicago.com, the Chicago Bears will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London during the 2011 NFL season (should it go ahead).

The article sites "sources familiar with the situation" in confirming the fixture while Adam Schefter, ESPN's most respected reporter, has confirmed the news.

This should come as great news to all native Irish American football fans who should get to see two very good and competitive teams face off against each other in London.

The NFL is a year to year league and nothing ever remains the same but should Josh Freeman and Jay Cutler be healthy, fans will get to see two of the better young quarterbacks in the league.

Last season fans were treated to a 24-16 victory by the San Francisco 49ers over the Denver Broncos, a game which realistically failed to bring the true excitement of the NFL to this side of the world.

The NFL regular-season schedule will be released next week with dates and times.

Chicago last played in London on Aug. 3, 1986, when the Bears beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-6. It was the season after the Bears won Super Bowl XX.