Why You Should Be Happy about the Vikings’ International Games
As a Vikings fan living in the United Kingdom, I was thrilled to learn that the Vikings are coming back across the pond for not only a Week 5 game against the Browns in London but also a Week 4 game against the Steelers in Dublin, the first time the NFL is hosting a game in Ireland.
However, selfish motives aside, there are good reasons why Vikings fans everywhere should be happy about the Vikings’ international schedule.
First and foremost, both of the Vikings’ international games this season are designated as road games. Although the NFL tries to take steps to make its international games feel like home games for the designated home team—for instance, both end zones are painted with the home team’s logo—the numbers suggest that it just can’t replicate the effects of a true home field advantage.
In the history of the NFL International Series, the designated visitor is currently 25-22. In contrast, teams playing at their home stadiums tend to win about 53%-55% of the time.
The Vikings also seem to enjoy the international spotlight, boasting a 4-0 record in International Series games and 2-0 under head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has already beaten the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints overseas.
In addition, the Vikings benefit from being able to stay across the pond for the entire week between their two contests, giving their bodies more time to adjust to the time zone difference. Circadian rhythms matter in the NFL: one study found that West Coast teams playing East Coast teams have covered the spread in an astounding 66% of night games, presumably because they are playing closer to their optimal athletic performance time.
Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars became the first NFL team to play back-to-back international games; they dominated the second, covering the spread by 9.5 points. This is a small sample size, of course, but nonetheless, it bodes well for the Vikings in their week 5 game against the Browns.
The Vikings have a bye week immediately after their travels, giving them plenty of time to adjust back to the central time zone before a big week 7 matchup at US Bank Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles. A pair of international wins followed by a week of rest would be an ideal way to welcome the defending Super Bowl champions.
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