The NFL will play games across four continents starting Sunday, when the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders meet in London at 9:30 a.m. ET. The league's international ambitions are on full display this week, marking another step in its effort to build a worldwide fan base.
Week 4 opens Thursday night in Cleveland. The Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers, with at least a share of first place in the AFC North on the line. The weekend slate also pits teams with very different records against one another: the Dallas Cowboys, currently 1-2, face the Houston Texans, winless at 0-3, in a Texas rivalry game with real playoff implications for both clubs.
The International Strategy
London's place on the NFL calendar reflects a deliberate push to grow the league's global presence. Sunday's Colts-Commanders game marks play on the league's fourth continent. That expansion raises questions about equity: does international scheduling give some franchises an advantage while saddling others with travel burdens? The league has made clear this isn't a temporary experiment; it's a cornerstone of long-term growth.
The schedule also sends the Los Angeles Rams east to face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams will try to avoid a third consecutive heartbreaking defeat in Philadelphia. Kansas City, unbeaten so far, takes on Las Vegas in a matchup between teams few expected to remain perfect through three weeks.
Sunday's Prime Matchups
The San Francisco 49ers host the Denver Broncos in what's being positioned as a potential game of the day. Sunday night brings the Carolina Panthers back to prime time for the first time in a decade, as the Detroit Lions visit Charlotte. Both teams will fight for early-season momentum in a game that could prove a turning point for their seasons.
Monday Night Football carries particular historical weight this week. The New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons almost exactly 20 years after the Saints returned to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina to play the same opponent. The game marked more than professional football's return to a devastated city; it became a symbol of community resilience and recovery. That history speaks to what professional sports mean to cities and their residents.
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Why This Matters:
The NFL's expansion across continents reflects a broader trend in American sports: growth often comes first, while questions about fair treatment, equity, and long-term sustainability get addressed later—if at all. International scheduling boosts league revenue and global brand development, but it raises legitimate concerns about competitive balance and the burdens placed on players and teams. Meanwhile, the sport's relationship with gambling has deepened substantially, with betting odds now integral to sports coverage itself. The Monday game's historical echo—the Saints' return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina—reminds us that sports carry real meaning for communities. The league still faces an open question: how will it balance profit expansion with fair competition and social responsibility?