Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, recently opened up about the challenges of playing in London and how international travel can affect a team’s performance. Speaking on The Player’s Box Podcast, Allen described the travel as chaotic and disruptive to the team’s routine.
“You could hear the traveling; the travel is crazy. You get thrown off on different, like, in we went, I believe Thursday, so we didn’t have much time to adjust to the time clock,” Allen said, highlighting how the irregular travel schedule can throw players off their normal rhythm.
Allen recalled arriving in London and being told to stay up, which he described as “a nightmare.” He expressed frustration with the outcome of the game and emphasized that shorter, more predictable travel would be preferable. He added that if the team could jet to the game the day before, it would be more conducive to competing at a high level.
During the interview, Allen explained why he would like to see the NFL keep games closer to home and avoid rapid overseas turnarounds. The primary concern is the toll international travel can take on players, especially when teams have limited time to acclimate.
The discussion referenced Buffalo’s Week 5 trip to London in 2023 for a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which kicked off at 9:30 a.m. ET. In that game, the Jaguars defeated the Bills 25-20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Allen threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-40 passing, and Buffalo committed 11 penalties for 109 yards.
Historically, London has presented a mixed record for the Bills. Earlier than the 2023 game, Buffalo lost to Jacksonville in London back in 2015 as well, 34-31 at Wembley Stadium.
Leading up to the London game, Buffalo entered with a 3-1 record and had just routed the Miami Dolphins 48-20, a game in which Allen threw for 320 yards and five touchdowns. The contrast between the blowout win against Miami and the closer loss in London underscored how travel and travel-related disruptions can complicate a team’s preparations.
While Allen did not attribute the London trip as the sole cause of the loss, he indicated that the team didn’t play its best football that day, while Jacksonville performed well. He stressed that success on Sundays requires readiness regardless of travel plans.
The broader discussion around London and international games continues as the NFL expands its international footprint. The league has increased the number of international games in recent years, reflecting its growing global ambitions. This year, the NFL plans to host more international games, continuing the trend of growing the league’s presence outside the United States.
Allen’s comments contribute to the ongoing conversation about how teams can best manage the demands of international travel, including adjustments to schedules and acclimation periods. As the NFL pushes for a stronger global footprint, players and teams will likely seek strategies to minimize travel-related disruption while still embracing the league’s international opportunities.
