Jaguars pick up second Wembley game

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play consecutive home games in London next season, potentially strengthening the franchise’s foothold in an overseas market the NFL is eager to expand.

The Jaguars will play back-to-back games at historic Wembley Stadium to improve revenue during “a period of significant change within the league,” team president Mark Lamping said Tuesday. Dates and opponents were not announced. Jacksonville protected home games against the Steelers and Chicago Bears, so those teams will play at TIAA Bank Field.

Lamping said the recent relocation of the Chargers, Raiders and Rams will move all three out of the bottom fourth of the NFL in local revenue. Jacksonville continues to look for ways to increase its revenue.

The Jaguars have played a “home game” at Wembley every year since 2013 and is under contract to do so through 2020. Owner Shad Khan and Lamping expect to extend the contract. It’s unclear whether the next deal will include two games annually abroad.

More Jaguars

The NFL suspended Jacksonville defensive tackle Carl Davis without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 6-foot-5, 320pound defender played in three games in 2019, including two for Jacksonville and one for Indianapolis.

Chargers

Shane Steichen will remain the offensive coordinator for the 2020 season after taking over on an interim basis for the second half of this season. Under Steichen, the passing offense improved in total net yards per game, passing yards per game and passing yards per attempt. Steichen replaced former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt in the offensive coordinator’s role at the end of October. He was the team’s quarterbacks coach at the time of his promotion.

Elsewhere

Gamblers in Nevada wagered $154.7 million on this year’s Super Bowl, an increase from last year but still below the high set in 2018. The Nevada totals were the highest in the nation, where 14 states now offer legal sports betting. The 190 sports books there won nearly $18.8 million, for a hold percentage of 12.1%.