The Jacksonville Jaguars return to London this week to play what will mark their 15th and 16th regular-season games in England's capital since 2013, featuring as part of the league's 44th and 45th games in the UK since 2007 as well as a record slate of nine international matchups in 2026. It will see Jags punter Logan Cooke play in an NFL-record 10th international game to surpass former Jacksonville offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, per ESPN stats. But this has a different feel to that of the Jags teams from years gone by, who have monopolised London without ever truly inserting themselves among football's Super Bowl contenders.
The 2017 team that stunned the NFL to reach the AFC Championship Game, perhaps, being the exception to that rule. This time they arrive to take on the Philadelphia Eagles behind a true MVP candidate in Trevor Lawrence and a head coach in Liam Coen knocking on the door of the elite. It is not a team brimming with star names, but instead an expertly-drilled reflection of their coach's vision for contention.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The Jags are 3-1 and purring at the top of the AFC South, their one blemish a defeat to the Denver Broncos in which they can been control before letting the game slip away. Momentum is on their side after back-to-back statement wins over the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals, in contrast to an opponent battling to steady a ship rocked by injury, retirement and consecutive losses. There is an overwhelming case of deja vu for the Eagles, whose soaring expectations can occasionally make for a gloomier fan outlook than is actually the case.
The last time the Eagles faced the Jaguars, Saquon Barkley conjured one of the greatest plays in NFL history with his reverse hurdle over Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones back in November 2024. "Everybody DM'd me like I'm supposed to be mad or something," Jones said on Wednesday. It is what it is." Barkley's availability for Sunday is in doubt after the running back exited Week Four's defeat to the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury.
The Eagles had already been missing leading wide receiver DeVonta Smith due to a hamstring issue, the former Heisman Trophy winner having become Jalen Hurts' unequivocal top target this offseason following the marquee departure of AJ Brown. This week meanwhile saw stalwart offensive tackle Lane Johnson announce his shock retirement to focus on his mental health, before center Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. What's more, wide receiver Hollywood Brown, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and linebacker Jihaad Campbell all missed practice this week through injury.
On paper, it is a decimated Eagles team so far failing to demonstrate the kind of offensive resurgence expected under Sean Mannion after he replaced Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator in the offseason. Philly's offense enters Sunday's game at Tottenham averaging the fourth-fewest yards per game, second-fewest passing yards per game, 26th in scoring and 29th in EPA/play. Jalen Hurts also continues to be one of the most divisive quarterbacks in football as critics wrestle over his true value, who is suffering in a system lacking serious punch on the ground and the consistent presence of a Brown on the outside - with the greatest of respect to the always-reliable hands of Smith.
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