The NFL’s European schedule kicked off last Sunday when the undefeated Vikings defeated the Jets 23-17 before a predominantly pro-Vikes crowd in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London. NFL alums in attendance included Wayne Chrebet, Jared Allen, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, Osi Umenyiora and a dozen other former players.
The aftermath of that game differed greatly for the two teams. The Vikings headed home with an unblemished 5-0 record this season with Kevin O’Connell as an early “Coach of the Year” candidate.
Conversely, the Jets returned to New York with a 2-3 record. Team owner (and former U.S. Ambassador to the UK) Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh two days after the game. “We need to find ways to win,” said Johnson after the coaching announcement. “We’re not going to find those ways by doing the same thing over and over and over.”
Tottenham stadium again will be hopping this Sunday when the Jaguars and Bears play their sixth-week game there before a sold-out crowd.
NFL owners are serious about playing even more regular season games in the UK and other countries outside the U.S. “The ownership approved eight games already,” says Commissioner Goodell. “I hope to get that to 16 at some point in the future.”
Sites that might host those games include Australia, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Ireland, France and…Abu Dhabi. Many of us remember when playing even a preseason game outside the country was a big thing but meant just a short plane ride to Montreal or Toronto.
Below is the schedule of the three remaining European games this season:
- Oct 13 Jaguars vs Bears in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
- Oct 20 Patriots vs Jaguars in Wembley Stadium (London)
- Nov 10 Giants vs Panthers in Allianz Arena (Munich)
We at NFL Alumni are in favor of international play and bringing our great sport to new, in-person fan bases. The league is taking a conservative approach at this point. If—or when—the regular season schedule increases to 18 games, we expect that will be the signal that more international games are ahead.
Do you prefer coach or business class on that flight to Abu Dhabi???
