How long until the Jaguars permanently move from Jacksonville to London? The question, which may have seemed ridiculous just a few years ago, is becoming increasingly legitimate.
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For the first time since the NFL began hosting games in London in 2007, the Jaguars will be there two weeks in a row. After the duel against the Falcons this Sunday at Wembley Stadium, they will face the Bills next Sunday in Tottenham.
For the NFL, playing back-to-back games on European soil is a way of measuring how well a team has adapted to this situation.
However, there are other, more important factors that suggest jaguars could eventually cross the ocean for good.
Obviously, as we have seen repeatedly in other markets, the threat comes from within the company itself.
The Jaguars have recently, without the slightest subtlety, raised fears of a possible move unless public money is used to finance half of the team’s stadium renovations for the tidy sum of two billion.
“If there is a referendum, the question should be: Do you want to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville? » said team president Mark Lamping without inhibitions in the last few weeks.
A devastating survey
The Jaguars’ home, EverBank Field, is in need of major renovations. AFP
To date, this is the most direct threat the team has made to the citizens of Jacksonville. And when Jaguars brass think the city is trembling at the thought of the team’s loss, they point fingers.
According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, a survey conducted by the University of North Florida found that only 6% of respondents believe the city should spend $1 billion of the $2 billion allocated to redevelop the only 28th district years old EverBank Field are required.
Not 50%, not 25%, but 6%! That’s not all. The same survey shows that only a third of respondents would agree to a city contribution of 500 million instead of the expected billion. For their part, 47% of respondents said that it is necessary to say “no” no matter what the cost, even if the consequence is the loss of the team.
That’s not exactly what we would call concrete support for the team’s plans. This is of course the usual negotiating game, but when we know that the fortune of the team’s owner, Shadid Khan, is estimated at 12.2 billion, it seems inconceivable that he could be so greedy for the place of those who finance him well filled account.
Khan is already very familiar with the English market as he also owns Fulham FC in the Premier League.
Projects for London
It’s far from clear whether the Jaguars will make the final move to London, despite playing there every year since 2013. First, the team just recently invested $120 million in its new practice facility and offices in Jacksonville.
The stadium lease runs until 2030. In the short term, the large Atlantic crossing is therefore hardly conceivable.
However, such plans are created long before they are put into action. Talk to Stan Kroenke, who angered the people of St. Louis by purchasing land in Los Angeles years in advance to move the Rams there. Mark Davis also failed to negotiate in good faith with the city of Oakland when he secured a lucrative deal in Las Vegas.
Ultimately, the NFL has made no secret of its desire to introduce an all-European division with four teams. In addition to London, they are already looking at the German market and are planning to present games in Spain in the coming years.
The plan to extend its tentacles worldwide may be more of an expansion than a relocation, but if any team is going to move from the United States, it will certainly be the Jaguars.
WEEK 4
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- From Detroit to Green Bay LIONS
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Atlanta to Jacksonville (to London) (9:30 a.m.) JAGUARS
- Miami at Buffalo (1 p.m.) BILLS
- Minnesota at Carolina (1 p.m.) VIKINGS
- Denver to Chicago (1 p.m.) BRONCOS
- Baltimore at Cleveland (1 p.m.) BROWN
- Pittsburgh at Houston (1 p.m.) TEXAN
- LA Rams at Indianapolis (1 p.m.) COLTS
- Tampa Bay at New Orleans (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- Washington in Philadelphia (1 p.m.) EAGLE
- Cincinnati, Tennessee (1 p.m.) BENGAL
- Las Vegas at LA Chargers (4:05 p.m.) CHARGER
- New England at Dallas (4:25 p.m.) COWBOYS
- Arizona at San Francisco (4:25 p.m.) 49ERS
- Kansas City at NY Jets (8:20 p.m.) Chiefs
MONDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Seattle at NY Giants (8:15 p.m.) SEAHAWKS
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 11 out of 16 (68.8%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 30 out of 48 (62.5%)
SELECTION OF NEWSPAPER
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
TOO LITTLE BALANCE
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder didn’t have an easy start in the NFL. Getty Images via AFP
In their two wins this season, the Falcons have gained an average of 170.5 yards rushing. In their loss, they were limited to 44 yards rushing. Although the offense currently has excellent options at receiver, the aerial game is not improving. So the Falcons have to run, but the Jaguars only give up 84 rushing yards each game. It’s hard to trust young quarterback Desmond Ridder right now. The Jags will avenge their humiliating loss from last Sunday. Jaguars at 4
Miami Dolphins (3:0) vs. Buffalo Bills (2:1)
GAME OF THE WEEK
Josh Allen hopes to have more opportunities to celebrate against the Dolphins. Getty Images via AFP
If you are planning a wedding on Sunday, postpone it until later. Don’t miss anything from this duel that promises to be epic. The Dolphins’ incredible offense is matched by a defense that scores the second-lowest total points. It’s easy to forget that the Bills can also score a ton. Josh Allen has thrown at least two touchdown passes in his last 11 games against the Dolphins and is 9-1 in his last 10 games. We are once again treated to the good Josh. Invoices by the 4th
Minnesota Vikings (0-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-3)
A victory is urgent!
TJ Hockenson and the Vikings continue to commit turnovers. Getty Images via AFP
The Vikings and Panthers already seem doomed with their 0-3 records. Since 1990, only four teams with such a record have made the playoffs. With nine turnovers, the Vikings continue to give the ball away to their rivals and their offensive line could suffer from the attacks of Brian Burns. However, the Panthers’ offense is sluggish. She showed more life with the veteran Andy Dalton than with the young Bryce Young, who you have to be patient with. Vikings at 6
Denver Broncos (0-3) vs Chicago Bears (0-3)
THE DUEL OF THE SHAME
Justin Fields and the Bears offense continue to look for solutions. AFP
All eyes were on Sean Payton and Russell Wilson at the start of the season in Denver, but ultimately it’s the defense that’s rotten, allowing 40.7 points allowed per game. The 70-point thaw against Miami increases that average, but the Broncos were still atrocious the previous week against the Commanders. That being said, the Bears face tough competition for the title of most atrocious defense and are unable to find any rhythm on offense. Broncos at 4
Baltimore Ravens (2-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (2-1)
GOOD DIVISION SHOCK
Myles Garrett and the Browns defense are off to a stellar start to the season. Getty Images via AFP
The North Division duels always leave their mark and, as always, the Ravens already have several injuries, especially on the offensive line and in the backfield. Lamar Jackson will therefore have to do a lot in the air and on the ground. The Browns play great football defensively and have only allowed one offensive touchdown this season. Deshaun Watson finally looked good offensively on Sunday, but was hampered by a shoulder injury. Browns at 3
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) vs. Houston Texans (1-2)
STROUD AMAZING BUT…
CJ Stroud stands out as he takes his first steps into the NFL. Getty Images via AFP
CJ Stroud is the starting rookie quarterback with 906 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. The only downside is that he is not well protected as he has suffered 11 quarterback sacks. That’s a big deal when you have TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith on the other side. The Steelers showed some key signs on offense in their last game, but they remained timid. The pressure on offensive coordinator Matt Canada is increasing. Steelers at 6
Los Angeles Rams (1-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (2-1)
RICHARDSON BACK
Quarterback Anthony Richardson returns to the game after suffering a concussion. Getty Images via AFP
After missing a game due to a concussion, Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson returns to the game. It won’t be easy for him as the Rams only averaged 182 passing yards. However, the Colts have been a surprise presence for two games, with a certain unexpected appearance from Zack Moss. It will be an interesting duel between the young receivers of the Rams and the equally young tertiary of the Colts. Colts by 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
HERE’S WINSTON AGAIN?
Jameis Winston should be in charge of the Saints offense. MEGA/IF
The Saints are expected to be without quarterback Derek Carr, but Jameis Winston is a starter in the system. It remains to be seen whether he can control his burning passion for interceptions. The Bucs are not opportunistic despite two wins. They rank 30th this season and only 37.5% of their field goal attempts have been converted into touchdowns. The Saints are third defensively in this regard. Your defense will have the final say. Saints at 4
Washington Commanders (2:1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3:0)
EAGLES ARE IN CONTROL
D’Andre Swift is having success on the floor for the Eagles. Getty Images via AFP
The only element of the Eagles that has worked more or less well this season is the air attack, which has averaged 199 yards per game (23rd). The Commanders are 13th against the pass but 22nd against the run. We can still expect a good dose of ground game from the Eagles, with D’Andre Swift on fire. The Eagles’ defensive front is more dominant than ever, with rookie Jalen Carter breaking it all down. Sam Howell, who collects bags faster than his shadow, is shaking. Eagles at 9
Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-2)
PROTECTION ISSUES
Ryan Tannehill has been targeted a lot this season. Getty Images via AFP
The Bengals’ defensive front found some bite against the Rams on Monday and could do it again against the Titans’ woeful offensive line. At this rate, quarterback Ryan Tannehill will end up accusing his blocker Andre Dillard of criminal negligence. As for Joe Burrow, he’s playing through pain and has shown encouraging signs of progress in terms of chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase. Be careful though, the Bengals are surprisingly 30th against the run and Derrick Henry could have a resurgence. Bengals at 6
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)
Another heavy loss
Justin Herbert will be without one of his top receivers, Mike Williams. Getty Images via AFP
The bad news is that the Chargers have lost the services of wide receiver Mike Williams for the year. Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston have the opportunity to shine. The good news is that Justin Herbert has become accustomed to being without one of his top targets since arriving in the league. The Chargers’ defense is disappointing, but the Raiders are looking for themselves, with or without Jimmy Garoppolo, who is in the concussion protocol. Chargers from 7
New England Patriots (1-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
GOODBYE TO ZEKE
Ezekiel Elliott will reunite with his team from the last seven seasons. Getty Images via AFP
Ezekiel Elliott will see his old loves from the Cowboys again in a Patriots uniform. That’s good, he just had a good 80-yard game (5 yards per carry) and the team seems to want to integrate him more into the game plan. However, we have to bet that the Cowboys’ embarrassing loss to the Cardinals last Sunday was just a blip. The Patriots’ shaky offensive line will have its hands full against Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Cowboys at 5
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
Reality will arrive
After an impressive win, Joshua Dobbs and the Cardinals could be coming back down to earth. Getty Images via AFP
That’s right, the Cardinals are more competitive than expected. True, Joshua Dobbs is playing at an interesting level for a quarterback who came to Arizona like a fly in the ointment at the last moment before the season. True, it was unthinkable that the ground attack would be in sixth place. However, it’s not true that the 49ers won’t bring this team back down to earth. Last season, both confrontations ended 76-23 in favor of the Niners. It will still hurt. 49ers par 17
Kansas City Chiefs (2-1) vs. New York Jets (1-2)
The Jets falter
The task promises to be difficult for Zach Wilson against the Chiefs. Getty Images via AFP
The Jets seem to be imploding everywhere, from players pointing fingers to coaches being questioned. That’s not exactly a recipe to topple the Chiefs, especially if Zach Wilson remains the main piece. It’s a bit like making an omelette without eggs. It happens, but it always ends up being disgusting. The Chiefs score and we forget that the defense only gives up 13.7 points per game, which puts them fourth. Chiefs at 12
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) vs. New York Giants (1-2)
EXPECTED RETURNS
Safety Jamal Adams returns to the game and does well for the Seahawks AFP
If there’s one danger the Seahawks face, it’s that their players are dropping like flies. At the very least, they should see their excellent cornerback Riq Woolen and especially safety Jamal Adams supporting the front line to put pressure on Daniel Jones. By the way, the Giants quarterback is still struggling in prime-time games and is still without Saquon Barkley, the offense’s number one weapon. The Seahawks play well in the spotlight. Seahawks at 7