NFL hands Packers an unnecessary disadvantage vs. Eagles in Brazil
The Green Bay Packers are the "road" team for their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. It sounds ridiculous even typing that. The Eagles can't exactly call themselves the home team after traveling thousands of miles to arrive in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
International games may attempt to provide a home-field advantage by decorating the stadium with the "home" team's colors and logos, but that's about it. Green Bay experienced this when they visited London. As the designated home team, Packers banners were placed around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the famous Packers end zones made the trip across the bond, and fans were encouraged to join in "Go Pack Go" chants.
Again, that's as far as the home-field advantage went, if we can even call it that.
Based on a recent report, the NFL has taken it a step further for the Brazil game, putting the Packers at a disadvantage.
Packers reportedly placed at a disadvantage ahead of Week 1 game in Brazil
With reports of tightened security and players told not to leave their hotel rooms, it makes sense to have both teams stay as close to Arena Corinthians as possible. Right?
Well, apparently not. According to CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the Packers will have to make a 1.5-2-hour commute while the Eagles stay near the stadium. Philadelphia gets the advantage because it's the "home" team.
As the home team Friday in Brazil, the Eagles got a hotel closer to the São Paulo stadium. The Packers, on the other hand, will have a game-day commute that is estimated to be between 1.5-2 hours based off heavy traffic.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) September 5, 2024
The NFL has made its share of baffling decisions, but this has to be near the top of the list. It's creating a competitive disadvantage for the sake of it. There's no need.
Teams give up their home-field advantage by playing in an international game. That's just reality. When Green Bay played in London, no amount of "Go Pack Go" chants or Packers-decorated end zones couldn't replicate the home-field advantage of Lambeau Field. What the league didn't do was force the New York Giants to commute to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Manchester.
Because it would make no sense.
It's accepted that international games are played at a neutral site, with no real "home" team.
That has seemingly changed in this game, and the Packers are being forced to make a long-distance commute for no apparent reason. Why not just have both teams stay near the hotel?
It makes zero sense.
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