NFL fans who oppose international games aren’t going to like what happens moving forward.
The Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens played one heck of a game in Brazil on Sunday. The talk of the field being in dangerous shape was likely overrated. The idea of the long flights having an impact on performance was proved to be false. Ultimately, the Cowboys and the Ravens played an incredible game.
Baltimore topped Dallas on a game-winning field goal, after Lamar Jackson led his team on the quickest game-winning drive of all-time (just seven seconds).
The stands were packed, the TV ratings will be huge and, ultimately, the game was a huge success.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell isn’t going to be getting rid of international games anytime soon. In fact, he’ll probably double down and have more of them.
International games in the NFL are here to stay
You can criticize them, and oppose them, but there’s no chance that the NFL is going to get rid of the international games at this point.
Longtime writer and radio host Andrew Perloff shared: “Anyone who wanted the NFL to stop playing as much overseas, this game probably sealed your fate.”
NFL fans are bracing for more international games.
“Yup this went about as well as anyone could have dreamt. Super Bowl-type atmosphere, crowd that was into the game and understood it for the most part, very well-played game by two high-profile teams, classic finish. It had everything,” one fan wrote.
“The one thing this game had that most of the others didn’t is a time zone that’s not a major disruption. Only an hour ahead of Eastern Time, vs 5 hours in the UK or kicking off at 10am Friday morning. That probably also helps explain the higher quality of play,” one fan added.
“Observation, Rio is 1 hour ahead of Baltimore, 2 hours ahead of Dallas. Versus difference to Europe or Australia,” one fan added.
Perhaps that’s the answer – play more games in Mexico, South America, etc. so the time difference isn’t as stark.
