The 2023 NFL schedule will be released in its entirety on Thursday, but the league is giving us a sneak peek with its international series games. There will be five in all, including two in Frankfurt, Germany. The league played its first-ever game in Germany last season, when the Seahawks and Buccaneers faced off in Munich.
Let’s look at the five international games from a fantasy perspective, and there’s plenty to consider for the upcoming NFL campaign… especially if you end up drafting one or multiple Jaguars players.
Falcons vs. Jaguars
Wembley Stadium, London, U.K.This Week 4 matchup will be billed as the “Calvin Ridley revenge game,” as the veteran wideout matches up against the team that traded him during his suspension. His new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, will also be a starter in a lot of leagues in what should be a plus matchup. Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and possibly the Jaguars defense will also be in a lot of lineups.
The U.K. fans will also get to see fantasy rookie darling Bijan Robinson, who is already being taken as a first-round pick in early best-ball drafts. Expect that to be the norm in redrafts, too. Drake London and Kyle Pitts will also be active in fantasy leagues on the Falcons’ side of the contest.
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Jaguars vs. Bills
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, U.K.For the first time in NFL history, a team will play back-to-back weeks in a foreign country. The Jaguars, who face Atlanta in Week 4, will get their fill of fish and chips when they battle the Bills in Week 5. I’d assume this will mean Jacksonville’s bye will be in Week 6 (just a guess for now ... check back on Thursday night).
This game is chock full of fantasy superstars, from Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs on the Buffalo side of the ball to the aforementioned Lawrence, Etienne, Ridley, Kirk and Engram for the Jags. U.K. fans will also get to see rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, who’s role in the Buffalo offense should be somewhat established.
Ravens vs. Titans
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, U.K.The NFL’s stretch of U.K. games will conclude in Week 6, as the Ravens and Titans battle at Hotspur Stadium. The game will feature fantasy star Lamar Jackson, who signed a massive new deal with Baltimore and will have maybe his best assortment of offensive weapons as a pro. The U.K. fans will see Odell Beckham Jr., who played in the league’s first contest at Twickenham Stadium back as a member of the Giants in 2016. He had just five catches for 49 yards with no touchdowns in a 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
OBJ will be in many fantasy lineups for this game against Tennessee, as will J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews. We should also have a better idea of how Baltimore will use rookie Zay Flowers, who will no doubt be a popular mid- to late-round selection in most fantasy redrafts. Rashod Bateman will also be in the mix.
The Titans don’t have much to love on the offensive side of the football, besides of course Derrick Henry. Ryan Tannehill will be the projected starter heading into the season, though there’s a chance we could see rookie Will Levis. Treylon Burks and Chigoziem Okonkwo are the other startable Titans players.
Dolphins vs. Chiefs
Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt, GermanyThe NFL’s international series picks back up in Week 9, as the Dolphins and Chiefs will face off in Germany. Likely to be billed as the “Tyreek Hill revenge game," the veteran’s battle against his old team will be a big storyline. Hill, fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa will be the most popular Miami fantasy starters.
Rookie running back Devon Achane might also be an option, as veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. haven’t been very durable in recent years.
The Chiefs starters are obvious at the top with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco and possibly Jerick McKinnon. Hopefully we’ll have a clearer idea of the pecking order in the passing game at wideout at this point in the season, as Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore are all in the mix. Rookie Rashee Rice could also be in play at this midway point of the season.
Colts vs. Patriots
Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt, GermanyThe international games will conclude in Week 10, as the Colts and Patriots will face off in a game that will bring back memories of Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. We’ll have had a good look at the Colts new offense under coach Shane Steichen, and we might see rookie Anthony Richardson as the team’s starter.
Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. will also be in a lot of fantasy lineups, but that could be the extent of Indianapolis players who are usable options against what figures to be a strong Patriots defense.
On the New England side, Rhamondre Stevenson will be a must start as the team’s lead offensive option. JuJu Smith-Schuster will also likely be a starter, more as a flex in all likelihood, but we’ll have to go to school on the likes of DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton before starting them in most leagues.
The same holds true of Mac Jones, who is coming off a disappointing second season but could rebound under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry could also be in some lineups, as this game will be played during some of the projected bye weeks.
