Redskins could play back-to-back games in London in 2016

Initially reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, and officially announced soon after, the Cincinnati Bengals will play a “home game” at London’s Wembley Stadium, “hosting” the Washington Redskins on October 30, 2016.

The NFL will play three regular-season games at two London stadiums in 2016 in the next incarnation of its burgeoning “International Series”, the league announced Thursday.

The Jaguars, who have been a London regular, will host the Indianapolis Colts on October 2, the first of three games in London next year. That game will be slotted for the NFC East team that St. Louis would normally play under the NFL’s scheduling rules. “We need to show respect to our foreign allies – the National Football League choosing to slur people of color at a high-profile global event does the opposite”.

That’s a pretty good slate of games for London fans, and as a season ticket holder for the global series, I’m pretty excited about some of the teams I’ll be able to watch and some of the individual players like Todd Gurley and AJ Green. They took on Buffalo in a game in Toronto in 2011, and have played preseason games in Japan in 2002 and in old Wembley Stadium back in 1992.

Eagles travel to Detroit before the Cowboys host the unbeaten Carolina Panthers with both sides desperate for the win that will keep them in touch with division leaders the New York Giants.

So, for example, if the Rams finish third in the West – which is where they stand at the moment – they will “host” the NFC East’s third-place team in London next year. The Jaguars, on the other hand, will play in London for the fourth consecutive year in 2016 and have a current deal running through 2020 to play one game a year there.

No times have been announced for the games. Exactly how are they going to play a game in St. Louis that isn’t scheduled there?

The Bengals will play the first game in franchise history beyond the borders of the United States when they host Washington. “We are honored to help grow the game overseas”.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be off to London a little earlier next year to face a familiar foe.

Meanwhile, next year’s matches will see the Colts play their first global series match along with the Bengals while the St. Louis Rams will return to the capital for the first time since 2012. Teams are traditionally awarded bye weeks after a London trip so Washington’s is expected to be November 7.