New England Patriots Set to Play Game in Germany Next Season
Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.
To Patriots fans looking to blast the coaching staff over the ocean, it looks like you’ll get your wish. Kind of.
According to a release from the team, the Pats will play one of their “home” games in Germany next season. This comes after old friend Tom Brady and the Tampa Buccaneers one the league’s first game in Munich against old Super Bowl friend Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks.
While exciting, it wouldn’t mark the team’s first regular season game overseas. In 2009, the Patriots defeated the Buccaneers in London, while in 2012, they beat the Rams. In both games, the Patriots were the designated “visitor”, which makes sense, as it would be odd to see the British cheer for “the New England Patriots.”
Meanwhile, in 2017, the Patriots defeated the Raiders in Mexico. Perhaps that’s where all rematches should take place, after the viral video of Raiders a fan berating a Patriots fan in Las Vegas this fall.
As for the possible Munich matchup, the Patriots are one of four teams assigned to Germany as part of the NFL’s Home Marketing Areas initiative, in which franchises are essentially adopted by a sister city in Europe.
The Patriots, along with the Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Kansas City Chiefs, are regarded as teams designed for adoption by the Germans. Looking at the Patriots’ 2023 opponents list released on Monday, it’s a fair bet that the Chiefs could very well be the featured opponent.
Regardless, let's just hope the Pats don't run into the London Silly Nannies.