Irish NFL fan in America Year 2 Preview!

One of the few upsides to the NFL off season is that I can spend time planning my trips for next season, which is in itself quite exciting. There are lots of factors to consider when you’re picking these trips. Namely:

Ease of access.
Teams of priority.
Getting time off work.
Costs.
Twinning cities.
Choosing competitive games
Choosing opportune game times.
Weather/time of year.

I fell down in a lot of those categories last year unbeknownst. But that’s okay you live and learn. And with that it should mean this year is even better.

And with that! I can now exclusively reveal that the eight teams I’m going to see next season are as follows:

New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers
LA Rams
LA Chargers

One of the few downsides to last year’s trips was some of the games were uncompetitive. Or involved teams that had basically nothing to play for. This will almost certainly not be the case this year. For starters the last game week I’m going to is week 11 where pretty much everyone will still have something to play for. With the exception of the two Florida teams all of these look like they’re going to be competitive next season anyway and who’s to say they can’t improve either. I’d be shocked if I sit in an empty stadium this year.

One of my priorities last year was to see the Raiders before they move. I did that. One of my priorities this year is to see both the Saints and the Patriots. And any NFL fans worth their salt will spot the link. I would be shocked if both Tom Brady and Drew Brees both step on to the field at the start of the 2020 season. At 43 and 41 they would be getting on a bit for a head coaching role in the NFL let alone a starter’s berth. It would be foolish of me to expect I could wait another year before seeing these two future first ballot hall of fame stars take to the pitch in the jerseys that made them historic. 

I’m planning on going to my first college game this year. I don’t follow college football but it’s one of those things I feel I must do anyway just to see what it’s like. I have the opportunity to see both Boston College and Florida Gators play at home this season during my trips and I plan on going to one if not both of those.

Another thing I’m planning on doing next season which I missed out on last year is to go to some of the casinos along the way. I’ve been told the poker games in the local casinos are very good in the United States so that’s something else I wouldn’t want to be missing out on.

I don’t really like the idea of renting a car. I’ve never done it before. I’ve never driven in another country before. I don’t like the expense of it. I don’t like the hassle of it. I don’t want to have to think about parking it. Having said all that it could be for the best. It is possible to do all next year’s trips without a car but there are definitely times when it would be quite beneficial. I’ll have to consider it.

With the exception of the weekend where both the Chargers and the Rams both play in L.A., none of these trips were obvious picks. And that was with three quarters of the teams to choose from! I fear for the next two years but hopefully I can make it work. I’m quite determined.

If anyone has any suggestions whatsoever for Boston, New Orleans, Florida area, Minneapolis, Green Bay or LA please get in touch. I have never been to any of these places and am very much open for suggestions.

With the exception of Houston all of the places left are places that I’ve never been to. That to me is the best part about all of this. I get to go to places I may not otherwise have been to. I’m actually looking forward to going back to Houston too.

I’ll do a preview of my first trip closer to the time but for now it’s time to start saving up dollars, ironing my Brady number 12 jersey and watch pro football talk weeknights on Sky Sports in anticipation for the new season.

Less than 100 days to go.