As if the season wasn’t already tough enough for the Indianapolis Colts, now 1-3, they did not get a bye week after playing in London.
One fan asked Albert Breer of The MMQB about this strange scheduling decision, and his answer might shock you.
Part of the NFL's plan — a way of testing the viability of having a team there permanently. Colts = guinea pig. https://t.co/7NrVaO5ovE
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 4, 2016
… The NFL will survey Colts players and coaches about how coming back from London w/o a bye week went. It's a significant step for int'l.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 4, 2016
While we aren’t privy to the personal thoughts of Colts players on the matter, we’re willing to bet the answers to the NFL’s survey questions might include some colorful language.
Anyone who has done some traveling across the Atlantic Ocean (or any ocean, really) understands the concept of jet lag.
NFL players are creatures of habit, which is something that is evident every week when teams from the West Coast travel to the East Coast. Usually, they struggle to get out of the gates because their body clocks are still telling them it’s too early to play an NFL game.
A trip across the pond is sure to provide even more complications.
After losing in London to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts (one of the NFL’s worst teams at the quarter mark) now have to rally themselves on short rest to play an early game on Sunday. Thankfully it’s at home in Indianapolis, and thankfully it’s only the Chicago Bears they’ll be facing.
Still, the extra travel they were subject to, flying from London to Indiana, cut into rest time and preparation time.
With that in mind, don’t be surprised if the Colts come out sluggish on Sunday at home against the Bears.
Being a guinea pig for someone’s grand experiment is not always an enjoyable experience. We’re betting Indianapolis isn’t exactly enjoying the experience right now. It most certainly was not one that was fair to the Colts this year.