Which 2020 International Series games would I have liked to have seen in 2020

Due to the global pandemic, all 2020 International Series games which included four in London and the one in Mexico in 2020 have all been moved back to the U.S.

Of the four games that were supposed to happen in London, two were to be hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (across back to back weekends), another hosted by the Atlanta Falcons and the last one to be hosted by the  Miami Dolphins. It was likely that the Jaguars’ games would have been at Wembley stadium while the other two were likely to be played at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

The “away” teams for the London games were not announced before the NFL made it public that International Series games would be on U.S soil.

So here are the matchups I would have liked to have seen in London in 2020.

Jacksonville Jaguar’s 2020 home games

It is likely the Jaguar’s opponents would have been the Steelers and then the Browns, because that is the only time when the Jaguars have two home games in a row (week 11 and 12). 

We know it could not have been the Dolphins as they were scheduled to be a home team in London. So of the seven other teams which ones  would I have liked to have seen?

I am of course bias as I am  a huge Chicago Bears fan- but I think they will be a bit of a mess in 2020 with Nick Foles at quarterback, plus they were in London last year.

I certainly think the Browns would have been good. The neutrals would love to see OBJ in London catching balls from Baker Mayfield. The Browns had all the players to be decent last year and it didn’t quite work, but maybe this year it might be better. I think games involving them will be dramatic none the less. 

The other game I would have liked would have been against the Tennessee Titans. Their play off run was fantastic last year, and I think the Jaguar’s run defense would be a great match against the mighty ground game of Titan’s powerful running back, King Henry. 

Atlanta Falcon’s 2020 home games

Like above we can rule out the Chicago Bears, but that still leaves some very juicy matchups. It probably comes down to four teams; The Seattle Seahawks; They are always going to be exciting with Russell Wilson on the offense. The Carolina Panthers; who have the best running back in the game, Christian McCaffrey plus it will be a divisional game.

Likewise the New Orleans Saints who are also a divisional rival would be a great game. Although Drew Brees is getting old he has so many weapons down the field. Lastly of course is the team that could be the most improved from last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who now have that Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski tandem. 

In terms of pure matchups I think the Panthers would have made it the best game, but the Carolina Panthers were in London last year as were the Tamp Bay Buccaneers. So I am going to go with the New Orleans Saints as I think the fans will love to see the league’s offensive player of the year, record breaking wide receiver, Michael Thomas play in London.

Miami Dolphin’s 2020 home games

The Dolphins had a poor season resulting in a 5-11 record, however I expect them to be a much improved team in 2020,by picking up three first founders in the draft, including left handed quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa out of Alabama. He has had some injury concerns but I think he has the ability to improve this team quickly. 

In terms of match ups, the Buffalo Bills, a divisional rival, really improved last year and made it to the playoffs with their franchise quarterback Josh Allen pushing the team forward. However I think there are three other juicy matchups. 

The Cincinnati Bengals- much like the Miami Dolphins, were awful last year and had a record 2-14, yet they drafted first overall and picked up the brilliant Joe Burrow, who is flying high. He won the National Championship with LSU and the Heisman trophy. Burrow Vs Tagovailoa would be very exciting to see how both these young quarterbacks can reinvigorate their teams.

The divisional rival match up against the New England Patriots would also be very interesting, especially now that Tom Brady has left Foxboro. Can the Dolphins beat the genius Bill Belichick without his hall of famer quarterback? 

Though for me the team I would really want to see in the U.K would be the Miami Dolphins squaring up against the reigning Super bowl champions, the  Kansas City Chiefs. Only once before has a reigning Super bowl team played in London, and that was the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. 

Sure the Cincinnati Bengals match up would have made  for a closer game, but for U.K fans to see the current reigning Super Bowl champions and Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes would be immense- as would the score that they put up on the Dolphins- Meow.

Written by Adam Goldstein @TailgateKnight