Rodgers relishing game in London

Green Bay Packers coach Matt Lafleur has done the London trip twice before as an offensive coordinator and “didn’t leave the hotel either time.”

Safe to say he’d prefer star quarterback Aaron Rodgers — a Manchester City fan — not try to venture north for the Premier League champion’s home game Saturday (though Rodgers could satisfy his soccer fix tonight when the U.S. women’s team faces European champion England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium).

The Packers’ schedule for their first-ever international regular-season game doesn’t leave much time for sightseeing. Same goes for the New York Giants (3-1). Both teams are scheduled to arrive in the British capital this morning ahead of Sunday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodgers, a four-time MVP, had hoped the Packers (31) would arrive earlier in the week “to experience a little bit of that culture” but he knows ultimately it’s a business trip — a long-awaited one at that.

“For us, it’s a dream,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been talking about doing this for years, since they started this, couldn’t wait to get over there, but nobody wants to give up a Green Bay Packer home game. So it’s exciting to finally get a chance to go over.”

Teams are now required to play internationally on a rotating basis, made easier by the addition of a 17th game. The Packers are Sunday’s home team.

Rodgers was on hand this summer when Manchester City played at Lambeau Field, where striker Erling Haaland scored on his club debut. The quarterback exchanged jerseys with City players and told Haaland to “have a great season.” So far, so good.

Packers rookie linebacker Quay Walker isn’t worried about sightseeing, not with NFL rushing leader Saquon Barkley lining up for the Giants.

“I don’t care nothing about London,” the first-round draft pick said. “It’s a great experience to travel outside the country. But we’re just trying to get a ‘W.’ ”

Eagles look to extend NFL'S hottest start

Through four games, Philadelphia Eagles are hottest team in the NFL.

The Arizona Cardinals remember days like that, even if they’re OK with their current situation.

The Eagles (4-0) — the league’s only undefeated team — play at Arizona on Sunday. The Cardinals (2-2) were the NFL’S final undefeated team last year, when they started 7-0.

Arizona’s 2021 season could provide a cautionary tale for the Eagles. The Cardinals faded down the stretch, dropping four of their final five regularseason games before a lopsided loss to the Rams in the playoffs.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has said this year’s early doses of humility — including a lopsided loss to the Chiefs in the opener — could the the make his team more resilient.

“We started off slow this season,” Murray said. “We’re entering the second quarter of the season and I think it’s a great opportunity. We’ve got a great team coming in. In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”

The Eagles rank in the top 10 in most major categories on both offense and defense and have a plus-8 turnover margin.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts has entered the MVP conversation with four outstanding performances to help the Eagles reach 4-0 for the sixth time in franchise history.

Just for kicks

Kickers aren’t expected to be the toughest guys in the locker room. Jake Elliott certainly earned some respect from his teammates after his performance against Jacksonville.

The 167-pound Elliott was drilled by cornerback Tyson Campbell on a 43-yard field goal try. Campbell was flagged for roughing the kicker and the Eagles’ drive was extended. Elliott limped out later in rainy conditions, kicked a 28-yard field goal and hobbled off the field. Elliott, a Pro Bowl selection last season, was clearly in pain. He missed practice Wednesday with a right ankle injury.

“Jake is one of the toughest people I’ve ever met regardless of the position that he plays. Everyone sees a kicker and they think something differently,” special teams coach Michael Clay said. “But he’s tough out there.”