The highly anticipated London game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium isn’t just a battle of 4-2 teams; it’s a live-action case study in sports science, as both franchises implement starkly different travel strategies in their quest to mitigate jet lag and seize a competitive edge.
For years, the NFL’s international series has presented a unique challenge to teams: how to best combat the debilitating effects of jet lag. As the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams prepare to face off at Wembley Stadium, researchers and fans alike are keenly watching their contrasting approaches. While both teams boast identical 4-2 records, their methods for acclimatizing to London couldn’t be more different, setting the stage for a fascinating real-world experiment in sports physiology.
Jaguars’ Early Arrival: A Bet on Acclimation
The Jaguars, seasoned veterans of London games with Sunday’s contest marking their 14th appearance, have significantly altered their travel routine. Typically arriving on a Friday, this year they landed in England on Tuesday. This decision, partly influenced by a hurricane that delayed their departure last year and the strategic placement of a bye week immediately following the game, aims to maximize their adjustment time.
Jags coach Liam Coen acknowledged the scientific debate surrounding optimal travel times, stating, “Is it an advantage? I don’t know, there’s sports science that supports both.” However, he emphasized the value of early arrival for team cohesion and readiness. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has played six games in London, is a proponent of this strategy. He believes the extra days offer “a good opportunity to get our rest and get adjusted by the time Sunday comes around,” allowing for more acclimated practice sessions.
A Look Back at Jacksonville’s London History
The Jaguars’ long-standing commitment to the London series provides a rich history of travel evolution. Since the 2015 season, their standard schedule involved departing Thursday evening and landing Friday morning. However, last year’s experience, which included a hurricane-delayed arrival and two back-to-back games (a 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears and a 32-16 win over the New England Patriots at Wembley), clearly influenced their new, earlier arrival strategy, as reported by AP News. This adaptability highlights a franchise continually seeking the best formula for international success.
Rams’ Late Arrival: Trusting a Proven East Coast Formula
In stark contrast, the Los Angeles Rams are sticking to a strategy that has yielded success in the past. They are not scheduled to arrive in England until Saturday morning, a full day later than their previous London trips under coach Sean McVay in 2017 and 2019. Their current plan involves staying in Baltimore after their 17-3 victory over the Ravens, holding practices at Camden Yards, and then departing for London on Friday evening.
This approach isn’t new for McVay’s Rams. In 2017 and 2019, following East Coast games (against Jacksonville and Atlanta, respectively), they remained on the East Coast before flying to London on Friday morning. These trips resulted in decisive victories: a 33-0 rout of the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 and a 24-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019. This historical success reinforces their belief in minimizing time zone changes immediately before the London game.
As McVay explained to the Rams’ official website, “We’ve had some successful outcomes having an East Coast game, staying on the East Coast to get our preparation ready to go… and hoping for the same this week.” This continuity in preparation, rather than early acclimation, appears to be the cornerstone of their strategy.
The Sports Science Debate: No Easy Answers
The contrasting strategies of the Jaguars and Rams highlight a long-standing debate within sports science regarding jet lag mitigation for transatlantic travel. There is compelling evidence supporting both early arrival (allowing full circadian rhythm adjustment) and late arrival (minimizing total time away and disruption to routine). Many factors, including individual player tolerance, team culture, and coaching philosophies, play a role in which strategy a franchise ultimately adopts.
For fans, the outcome of Sunday’s game will undoubtedly fuel further speculation on which approach is superior. Will Lawrence’s early adjustment pay off for the Jaguars, giving them a physical edge? Or will McVay’s tried-and-true method, leveraging momentum from an East Coast victory, once again prove effective for the Rams? The NFL’s commitment to global expansion continues to push the boundaries of sports science, making every London game not just a contest, but an ongoing experiment, as showcased by the league’s extensive coverage of international game preparation on NFL.com/international.
It is worth noting that in 2016, the Rams previously tried an earlier arrival, landing on a Monday, and subsequently lost 17-10 to the New York Giants at Twickenham, perhaps solidifying McVay’s current preference for a later approach tied to an East Coast game.
Injury Report: Key Players for the Jaguars
Beyond the travel strategies, the health of key players will significantly influence the game’s outcome. The Jaguars provided updates on several athletes ahead of their London clash:
- DE Travon Walker (wrist): The 2022 No. 1 overall pick was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, a positive sign after undergoing wrist surgery less than three weeks prior. He returned against Seattle, primarily on passing downs, and his full participation suggests increasing readiness.
- C Robert Hainsey (hamstring): After missing Sunday’s game, Hainsey was limited in practice, indicating a cautious approach to his return.
- WR Dyami Brown (shoulder) and S Eric Murray (neck): Both players were also limited in practice, their statuses remaining critical as game day approaches.
- LB Devin Lloyd (calf) and TE Quintin Morris (groin): These two players did not make the trip to London. Lloyd, an impact player with four interceptions (among the most in the NFL), including a 99-yard pick-six against the Chiefs, will be a significant absence for the Jaguars defense. His dynamic playmaking ability will be sorely missed, as documented by his 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Chiefs on the Jaguars’ official X account.
The intersection of advanced travel planning and player health makes this London game more than just a regular season fixture. It’s a testament to the intricate preparation involved in professional sports, offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge strategies employed to gain an advantage, however slight, on the international stage.
