Home Away from Home: Jaguars Prep for Eagles in London
Home-field advantage can turn the tide on games in an instant. For the Jaguars, that luxury extends far past Jacksonville.
While the Jaguars were not the first NFL franchise to take the field in London, they are the only one to sign a multi-year agreement with Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars (3-1) inked a deal in 2012, and the agreement has been extended since. Jacksonville will play two London games this season: Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles (2-2) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by a Week 6 game against the Texans, the team’s first divisional matchup, at Wembley before the bye week.
Philadelphia last traveled to London on Oct. 28, 2018, when it defeated Jacksonville 24-18 at Wembley.
“It’s a big week of mental toughness,” coach Liam Coen said. “A lot going on with the travel and the preparations, and leaning into those guys will be critical.”
The United Kingdom has adopted the Jaguars as its team overseas, and fans fill the country’s largest-capacity stadium. Jacksonville set the record for the highest NFL attendance at Wembley (86,651) in its 32-16 win over the Patriots on Oct. 20, 2024.
Now, Jacksonville will travel to kick off the 2026 London series with a 7-7 all-time record in the city. The Jaguars also played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021, 2023 and 2024, going 2-1 in the venue.
EverBank Stadium sits roughly 4,300 miles from Wembley, adding to the Jags’ 19,000 miles of travel throughout the season. The trip, paired with the five-hour time difference, makes for a tough task heading into Week 5.
Coen coached the Jaguars in last season’s loss in London, his first game overseas as their head coach. The Los Angeles Rams took down Jacksonville 35-7, despite quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing for 296 yards.
Lawrence is 4-3 in seven London starts, though he was sacked seven times in last year’s loss to the Rams. He and the Jags, who sit at .500 all-time overseas, will look to tip the scales.
Tight end Brenton Strange also has experience playing in the overseas series. While he has logged just one reception in four London games, he knows what it takes to overcome the 9-hour flight.
“It’s a grind, for sure, going over there, but once you’re settled in and you’re adjusted to the schedule, it’s alright,” Strange said.
He was out with an injury in Jacksonville’s 2025 matchup against the Rams, but suited up against Chicago and New England in 2024 and Atlanta and Buffalo in 2023. His sole reception came against the Bears when he added 11 yards in the loss. His lack of production was partially due to tight end Evan Engram handling a load of the targets. Engram, who now plays for the Denver Broncos, averaged 56 receiving yards in the four contests, including a 102-yard day against Chicago.
“Obviously everybody being on the same page and the understanding what the schedule is pre going out there,” Coen said. “We talked about that today and getting ahead of some of the things regarding Friday in terms of they’re going to be fatigued and tired when we get over there, and trust that we’ll take care of you guys and do what’s right by you during that week.”
“We’re going to need some mental toughness throughout this week to go out there and make sure that we’re physically and mentally prepared to go play this physical game on Sunday against Philly,” Coen said.
Category: Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL
