The NFL must ship the UK and Europe higher groups extra typically

The Nationwide Soccer League heads throughout the pond once more this season with 4 video games scheduled in London and Germany. This yr, the European crowd will get a few huge NFL manufacturers to look at in individual, not simply the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few of the matchups could possibly be higher, however the league additionally must get the Dallas Cowboys and a few of its different extra in style groups taking part in outdoors of America.

Not probably the most intriguing matchups

This yr’s slate features three video games in London throughout October and the inaugural recreation for the league in Germany, happening in November. The Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints kick issues off on Oct. 2 from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They’ll be adopted by the New York Giants and Inexperienced Bay Packers one week later, on Oct. 9. The third recreation from London can be at legendary Wembley Stadium on Oct. 30, pitting the Denver Broncos in opposition to London’s favourite, Jacksonville.

If London might decide its personal NFL consultant, certainly it wouldn’t be the Jaguars, but Roger Goodell and the league seemingly ship the Jags over yearly. This yr’s recreation in opposition to the Broncos would be the Jaguars’ ninth journey to London, by far probably the most of any group within the NFL. In distinction, the Inexperienced Bay Packers are making their debut in London this season.

One of many most historic franchises within the league’s historical past is taking part in its first-ever worldwide common season recreation in 2022. It’s about rattling time. It’s ridiculous how the NFL continues sending the Jaguars and different groups of that ilk to play internationally. For what they cost people to get into video games, they should ship higher groups, like those they’re sending this yr.

A few of this yr’s matchups go away little to be desired, however not less than Europe getting greater than Jacksonville and Houston. Germany will host its first-ever NFL recreation of any sort when the Buccaneers play the Seahawks on Nov. 13. If not for Tom Brady, this may be one other dud of a recreation. It is going to doubtless find yourself in Tampa blowing Seattle out in Allianz Enviornment. It’s a “good gesture” by the league to ship Brady over throughout what many really feel can be his closing season. For actual, this time.

Greater, higher manufacturers

The place huge manufacturers are involved, the Packers and Broncos are begin, particularly with Russell Wilson making the leap to Denver within the offseason. This would be the Broncos’ ninth worldwide recreation general, however solely their third in the course of the common season. And that quantity will improve for each franchise because the league now requires every group to play at least one worldwide recreation each eight years.

Since Jacksonville has gone above and past exceeding that requirement, it is perhaps time to go away them at dwelling for some time. Let’s give the followers in Europe an opportunity to see different groups. Just like the Cowboys, as an illustration. The final time Dallas performed in London was on the peak of the Tony Romo period in 2014. They beat the Jaguars (after all), 31-14. However with this new rule, we should always see Jerry Jones’ group heading over ahead of later.

Pittsburgh is in the identical boat as Dallas, having not performed a world recreation in almost a decade. The Steelers’ last game overseas was in 2013, which they misplaced to the Vikings 34-27. You’ve two of the biggest fan bases within the NFL between the Cowboys and Steelers. It’d be fairly the spectacle to have these franchises face off in a world common season recreation, nevertheless it’s uncertain the league would take into account it.

Jones would struggle that, I’m certain, particularly if it had been scheduled for Dallas because the ‘host’ group. That’s one other subject for the house group in these video games; they’re shedding an precise dwelling recreation. So, with the unbalanced 17-game schedule, groups are on a rotation foundation annually, internet hosting eight or 9 common season video games.

In a yr when groups have solely eight dwelling video games, these extra outstanding manufacturers received’t be too prepared to surrender a house recreation to play internationally. So, initially, it appears like this new rule of sending groups over each eight years was desperately wanted. To maintain giving international followers the Jags, Giants (whereas they’re down), Texans, and even the Vikings aren’t chopping it. Sure, the Vikings needs to be higher this yr, however they aren’t on the identical degree because the Cowboys, Steelers, and Packers, in relation to model recognition.

Showcase rivalries

A pair extra division rivalries would even be good video games to showcase to the worldwide fanbase. The one division recreation in ‘22 will happen in Mexico Metropolis when the San Francisco 49ers tackle the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 21. There’s at all times a bit extra depth when division rivals get collectively. This one ought to have postseason implications hooked up. And these are the matchups wanted for the worldwide fan base if the NFL needs to take this growth severely.

It’s no secret the league needs a group based mostly outdoors the USA. At this level, the query is will that be an growth group or a present franchise relocating to Europe or Mexico? We’re getting nearer to this taking place annually. The NFL continues so as to add extra video games, as this yr we’re as much as 5 worldwide showdowns. Proper now, they’re getting extra groups used to touring outdoors the nation extra typically. By 2030, I believe we’ll have a group designated to play all their dwelling video games in another country.