The NFL has confirmed that the Philadelphia Eagles will be the home team for the league’s inaugural regular-season game in Brazil, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6, as part of the opening weekend of the 2024 season.
In his “Football Morning in America” column on Monday, NBC Sports’ NFL insider Peter King suggested that the most realistic options among the Eagles’ potential opponents in Sao Paulo are the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers.
While noting that the Eagles would prefer not to lose a home game against the Packers, King raised uncertainties about the readiness of the new Atlanta head coach, Raheem Morris, to field a competitive team right from the start.
“The NFL doesn’t want a mystery team in a big marquee game in Week 1,” King emphasized.
King expressed that, given the Browns’ recent success, including an 11-6 record and a playoff berth in 2023, they make the most sense as an opponent for the Eagles. However, scheduling considerations, such as hosting performances at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13, by Billy Joel and Rod Stewart, might influence the decision. It’s worth noting that the NFL has a history of teams starting the season with back-to-back away games.
Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal highlighted that the Browns have only participated in one NFL International Series game, a 33-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London in 2017.
The full NFL schedule release is anticipated in mid-May, according to Sky Sports News.