The Jaguars play the Colts in London on Sunday. It’s the earliest England trip for the Jaguars in their four years of playing a home game overseas, and that’s exactly what they wanted.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Jaguars requested to play in the earliest London game this year because they traditionally have performed better after playing there.
In 2013, the Jaguars started 0-8, capped with a 42-10 loss to the 49ers at Wembley Stadium. After London and the ensuing bye, the Jags went 4-1.
The next year, the Jaguars went 1-9 through England (capped by a 31-17 loss to the Cowboys), and 2-3 after that.
In 2015, the Jaguars went 1-5 before going to London, finally won there (34-31 over the Bills), and then went 3-3 after returning.
This year, the Jaguars are 0-3 as they prepare to face the 1-2 Colts. After the bye, Jacksonville has three potentially winnable games at Chicago, vs. the Raiders, and at Tennessee. The schedule after that includes two games against the Texans and back-to-back home games against the Broncos and Vikings.
Coach Gus Bradley arguably needs that annual London lift more than ever, given the team’s overall record during his tenure (12-39) and multiple comments from owner Shad Khan indicating that more is expected in 2016.
