Ought to NFL mandate early journey for Week 1 worldwide video games?

As the dialog continues on the Rams’ obvious misfire concerning the choice to barnstorm into and out of Melbourne, there’s one other query that must be requested about Week 1 worldwide video games performed a great distance away from the U.S.

Michael Holley talked about the idea on Friday’s PFT Live. And it’s a good suggestion — the league ought to deal with the Week 1 worldwide recreation just like the Super Bowl and require the groups to reach early.

If the objective is to export the sport to the nations, the trouble must be extra complete. Get there early. Make native appearances. Have a number of press conferences within the place the place the sport might be performed.

It takes the journey technique out of the groups’ arms and makes the problem a part of the general obligation.

Yes, the remainder of the story concerning the 49ers-Rams journey journey will unfold in Week 2, and presumably past. But the 49ers appeared to be much more ready to play given their determination to go to Australia every week early. Having each groups arrive on the identical day avoids the chance that one group might be acclimated and one gained’t.

Of course, the Rams’ expertise could also be sufficient to get the chosen groups to go early with out being instructed to take action. But why even let it’s a variable? The NFL is already imposing on the groups by making them play on the opposite facet of the world. It’s not way more of an imposition to mandate the itinerary.