The Philadelphia Eagles will complete a normal practice week at home before flying to London on Friday night for their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Philadelphia is scheduled to arrive Saturday morning, conduct a walkthrough, and play Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The direct flight from Philadelphia to London generally takes seven to eight hours, leaving the Eagles less than two days to adjust to the five-hour time difference. Coach Nick Sirianni said the organization studied several travel plans before deciding that a late departure would give this particular team its best chance to win.
“We’re trying to get a full week’s worth of practice in before we go up there,” Sirianni said.
Sirianni declined to provide specifics about
the team’s plan for managing jet lag but said the subject was included in the organization’s research. Philadelphia will return home immediately after the game and host Carolina in Week 6 rather than receiving a bye following the international trip. NFL teams have taken different approaches to travel to London. Washington flew overseas Tuesday night before its Week 4 game, while Indianapolis arrived Friday morning. The Eagles also arrived late during their previous London appearance, traveling Thursday in 2018 before practicing Friday and holding a walkthrough Saturday.
Philadelphia used a similar schedule for its trip to Brazil last season, although that flight involved less of a time-zone adjustment. The Eagles are scheduled to face Jacksonville at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday. Their plan prioritizes preparation in familiar surroundings over additional acclimation time in London.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles explain decision to delay London trip until Friday
