A First-Hand Perspective on How NFL Teams Approach International Travel

As the NFL continues to add more international games to its regular season schedule, coaches and executives are looking for the secret sauce to guarantee optimal performance in these overseas clashes. After getting an in-person look at the Los Angeles Rams dismantle the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-7 at Wembley Stadium this past weekend, utilizing a radical 24-hour "turn and burn" approach, the league could see more teams opt for quick visits when playing in international games. 

During my time as an analyst with the Jaguars, I have made several trips to the United Kingdom to watch the team participate in the NFL's London Games. Given the team’s experience and success overseas (7-6 record before the 2025 contest), the Jaguars were viewed as experts in how to handle the logistics around an international game. The team would travel over early on game week to acclimate to the time change and conditions in London. 

Fans arriving at Wembley Stadium for Rams-Jaguars showdown.

This year, the Jaguars traveled on Monday afternoon to arrive in London on Tuesday morning. The team adhered to their regular practice schedule, which included practices on Wednesday (first- and second-down emphasis), Thursday (third-down and two-minute), and Friday (red zone), followed by a Saturday morning walk-through. By sticking to a familiar routine overseas, the Jaguars hoped the players would quickly acclimate to the conditions, resulting in a strong performance on game day. 

Meanwhile, the Rams opted for a bold strategy that required the team to stay in Baltimore following their Week 6 game against the Ravens before flying to London on Friday evening for a Saturday morning arrival. Although the unorthodox approach would create a 24-hour