NFL Returns to London: Rams vs. Jaguars at Wembley

The National Football League continues its international showcase with a third consecutive weekend in London, as the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at the iconic Wembley Stadium. This Sunday morning matchup (9:30 a.m. ET) will be broadcast exclusively on NFL Network, with the veteran broadcasting team of Rich Eisen handling play-by-play duties, Hall of Famer Kurt Warner providing analysis, and Sara Walsh reporting from the sidelines. The London series has already delivered compelling football over the past two weeks, with the Denver Broncos narrowly defeating the New York Jets 13-11 and the Minnesota Vikings outpacing the Cleveland Browns 21-17, both contests taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

For the Jacksonville Jaguars, London has become something of a second home. This upcoming contest marks their remarkable 14th game in the United Kingdom, establishing them as the NFL’s most frequent international travelers. The Jaguars have compiled a respectable 7-6 record in London overall, including a 5-5 mark specifically at Wembley Stadium. Their comfort on British soil was evident last season when they handily defeated the New England Patriots 32-16 at Wembley. Perhaps most impressive is quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s personal international resume, as the young signal-caller has amassed a 4-2 record in games played abroad. The Jaguars enter this weekend with momentum despite a recent setback, holding a solid 4-2 record after falling to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6.

First-year head coach Liam Coen has breathed new life into the Jacksonville organization since his offseason hiring. The Jaguars’ strong start under his leadership has energized a franchise that has experienced significant ups and downs in recent seasons. Coen’s offensive background has seemingly helped unlock new dimensions in Lawrence’s game, creating a balanced attack that has kept opponents off balance through the first six weeks. The opportunity to continue this positive trajectory on an international stage represents both a challenge and an opportunity for this ascending team to demonstrate their legitimacy to a global audience.

The Los Angeles Rams, matching Jacksonville’s 4-2 record, arrive in London riding the emotional high of their victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. That triumph was particularly meaningful as it helped wash away the bitter taste of their heartbreaking overtime loss to division rival San Francisco 49ers the week prior. Head coach Sean McVay continues to demonstrate his tactical acumen, adapting his schemes to maximize the talents of his current roster, which has undergone significant changes since their Super Bowl championship. The Rams’ resilience has been a hallmark of their 2023 campaign, bouncing back from setbacks with the poise of an organization that understands the ebbs and flows of an NFL season.

History favors the Rams in this matchup, as the last encounter between these franchises occurred in Week 13 of the 2021 season, resulting in a dominant 37-7 Los Angeles victory. That season culminated in a Super Bowl championship for the Rams, highlighting just how far apart these organizations were at that time. However, the intervening years have seen significant evolution for both teams. Jacksonville has developed into a more consistent competitor under Lawrence’s maturation, while the Rams have navigated the challenging waters of maintaining competitiveness after reaching the NFL’s summit. This international clash represents an opportunity to measure just how much the competitive gap between these franchises has narrowed.

The NFL’s continued investment in international games reflects the league’s global ambitions and recognition of football’s growing popularity beyond American borders. For players and coaches, these London games present unique logistical challenges—from adjusting to time differences to maintaining routine in unfamiliar environments—but also offer special opportunities to grow their personal brands on a world stage. For fans in the United Kingdom, this Rams-Jaguars matchup delivers yet another opportunity to experience the athleticism, strategy, and excitement of American football in person. As Wembley Stadium fills with both dedicated supporters who have crossed the Atlantic and curious local spectators, this game serves as both entertainment and ambassador for a sport continuing to expand its international footprint.