National Football League: A First-Hand Perspective on How NFL Teams Approach International Travel
Updated Oct. 23, 2025, 12:49 p.m. ET
Bucky Brooks, NFL Analyst
As the NFL keeps introducing more international matches to its regular season schedule, coaches and executives are searching for the best strategies to ensure optimal performance during these overseas encounters. After witnessing the Los Angeles Rams’ impressive 35-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium this past weekend, using a unique 24-hour “turn and burn” approach, it’s likely that we will see more teams opting for quick trips during international games.
During my tenure as an analyst with the Jaguars, I visited the United Kingdom multiple times to support the team during the NFL’s London Games. With the team’s experience and success overseas (a 7-6 record heading into the 2025 matchup), the Jaguars were considered experts at managing the logistics of international games. The team would travel to London early in the game week to adjust to the time difference and local conditions.
This year, the Jaguars arrived in London on Tuesday morning after traveling on Monday afternoon. They followed their regular practice schedule, which included sessions on Wednesday (focusing on first- and second-down plays), Thursday (third-down and two-minute drills), and Friday (red zone practices), concluding with a Saturday morning walkthrough. By maintaining a familiar routine while overseas, the Jaguars aimed for their players to quickly adapt, leading to a strong showing on game day.
In contrast, the Rams took an audacious approach, opting to stay in Baltimore post their Week 6 game against the Ravens, before heading to London on Friday evening for a Saturday morning arrival. Although this unconventional plan resulted in a tight 24-hour “turn-and-burn” schedule for the Rams, it also provided key benefits: refining their fundamentals and building camaraderie, especially for a team approaching the midpoint of the season.
As a veteran of the London Games, serving on the Jaguars’ radio broadcast team, I’ve experienced both travel itineraries. The traditional approach of arriving early in the week allows players to acclimatize to the unfamiliar environment. Sticking to a weekly routine makes sense for coaches who believe that consistency in practice leads to superior performances due to habits established on the field.
As a former NFL player, I appreciate this method because most successful players thrive on routine, finding comfort in the familiarity of a consistent schedule, irrespective of external circumstances. Players also value the training camp-like atmosphere of international games, allowing for uninterrupted time with teammates super jilli.
While professional sports may involve adults playing a child’s game guided by “team-first” principles instilled by their youth football and high school coaches, the realities of life complicate the creation of a familial atmosphere in a locker room filled with husbands, boyfriends, and fathers balancing personal responsibilities while pursuing athletic success.
The additional time spent together under coaches promoting togetherness and selflessness in their team-building strategies offers a unique chance to foster a winning culture that can translate into positive outcomes on the field.
Since joining the Jaguars’ radio broadcast team in 2021, I have observed the team’s ability to leverage international trips to finish strong down the season stretch 188.jili. Despite suffering a 21-17 defeat to the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium in 2022, head coach Doug Pederson credited their extended stay for helping the Jaguars secure a 7-2 record afterward, clinching a playoff spot. He noted that the time away from family amidst a foreign backdrop resulted in deeper connections, heightened chemistry, and stronger camaraderie among team members.
Building on the positive influence from the 2022 season, the Jaguars chose to play two London Games over consecutive weekends in 2023 and 2024, aiming to maximize a midseason “training camp” experience from their 10-day travel period. get jilino1.apps While this extended trip did not lead to playoff appearances for those teams, the international excursion provided an opportunity to reset, refocus, and enhance their fundamentals while building team bonds. Given the various advantages of midseason minicamps, the plan for an extended stay seemed like a clear decision to me.
However, the Rams’ outstanding performance this past Sunday has prompted me to reconsider my views on short-term international travel. The effort, energy, and focus exhibited by the Rams indicated they were well-prepared and ready for action. Moreover, the seamless execution by Coach Sean McVay’s squad highlighted the habits polished during practices at Camden Yards.
In an era where every coach seeks to gain an edge, the “turn-and-burn” strategy at the end of a week spent on the East Coast could represent the ideal balance for teams eager to seize a unique bonding moment without the drawbacks of an extended overseas stay. 123 jili casino login After witnessing the Rams successfully execute a 24-hour trip, executives and coaches may adopt this strategy to enhance their success rate in international games. jiliasi7
What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of these differing travel strategies in the NFL?
