Jaguars Lean on Last Year’s London Rout in Return Trip vs. Eagles, Texans
The NFL season’s 18-week slate is built to provide stability and balance to the 32 franchises, but the Jaguars face a bit more turmoil than the rest. They will spend Weeks 5 and 6 in London, adjusting to the travel and time change while focusing on the task at hand: return home 2-0.
The Jaguars (3-1) will take on the Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before squaring off against the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18.
Jacksonville’s last trip across the pond didn’t go exactly according to plan in a 35-7 rout against the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sacked seven times in the blowout, and the Jags’ sole touchdown came on their second-to-last drive of the game.
While the loss dropped Jacksonville to 4-3 on the year, it also ignited the 9-1 run to close out the regular season. The Jaguars beat their opponents by an average of 17 points and scored 32.8 points per game over the span.
“Guys have to be able to communicate what some of their issues may be or what obstacles could be, but also the vets that have been through this travel and trip, being able to help the younger guys out is definitely something we’ve talked about,” Coen said.
Wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter shined in the loss to the Rams as a rookie, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice the following week. Hunter had eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in his first international outing.
“He really came alive that game,” Lawrence said. “That was one of the bright spots of the game where you look at after, not a lot went right, but at least that part of it was going well and we felt really good about where he was at.”
Hunter has been primarily slotted in the secondary this season and has a Pro Football Focus pass coverage grade of 76.3, which ranks No. 12 among all cornerbacks. Although, last year was a different story.
While playing solid on defense in 2025, he had far fewer opportunities. Hunter logged 162 snaps in the secondary through seven games last season and has already been in for 188 snaps this year. Hunter has also been on the field for just 11 offensive plays in 2026, compared to the 323 in last season’s stretch.
“I thought he had a great week of prep on offense,” coach Liam Coen said. “You could tell he and Trevor had been building a better rapport, more trust, more consistency. You’re kind of hopeful that over the next few weeks here they can continue to do that.”
Lawrence will suit up for his eighth overseas contest and will look to bounce back from last season’s lackluster loss.
“It’s a cool experience,” he said. “I’ve done it a lot now, so you kind of know what to expect. Obviously, the travel can be a challenge, but I feel like, as much as we’ve done it, we at least know what we’re getting into and kind of the routine and how it goes and how to best take care of all of the stuff so you’re good to play Sunday.”
Lawrence and the Jaguars are set to travel Friday and will have ample time to adjust to the time difference and atmosphere.
The matchup marks the ninth time Jacksonville and Philadelphia have played each other, with the Eagles boasting a 5-3 all-time series lead. Jacksonville has not defeated them in five contests dating back to 2006.
“We’ve got to have mental toughness to prepare ourselves throughout this week and also have a professionalism to us that understands that this is a business trip,” Coen said. “We’re going out there to play football games. It’s something you have to do.”
The Jaguars will not return back to Jacksonville after Sunday’s game and will stay in London until after the AFC South clash in Week 6. The Eagles have played in just one contest in the United Kingdom, when they beat the Jags in 2018.
“Any time you get outside your normal rhythm and routine and environment, something is going to happen to you,” Coen said. “Something will tweak, it’s natural for every human being. What I challenged them with is to identify what it is for you that can occur when you step outside of your environment and routine, and to think about it and to get ahead of it.”
Aside from the game, Jacksonville will use the 10-day trip to bond the club before its Week 7 bye week. The Jags won’t hit the gridiron in Florida until Nov. 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
“It’s always a good reset,” Lawrence said. “You could look at it either way. Obviously there are some challenges to it, but I think knowing that it’s something we do consistently, you look at the positives. It’s a good reset for our team and a good time together.”
Category: Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL
