NFL 2022 international games odds: Packers open nearly touchdown favorites vs. Giants in London
The NFL announced its five international games for the 2022 season.
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While the full NFL schedule won't be released until May 12, the league this morning unveiled the five international games for this season, and we have early odds for the four in Europe, led by the Green Bay Packers playing overseas for the first time, and one in Mexico. Aaron Rodgers & Co. opened as 6.5-point favorites against the New York Giants for the Oct. 9 matchup (Week 5) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
We learned in late February that the Packers would be the final team in the NFL to finally play in London but didn't know the opponent – it had to be one of Green Bay's nine home foes as it will be the official home team for the game. Facing a division rival didn't make much sense, so SportsLine oddsmakers made the Giants +250 favorites to be opponent (followed by the Patriots at +300).
Previously, the Packers have played internationally during the preseason on three occasions: in Toronto in 1997, Tokyo in 1998 and Winnipeg in 2019. Never in the regular season.
The Miami Dolphins hosted the Giants in the first International Series game at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 28, 2007. Big Blue won that game 13-10 and won its other game in London 17-10 over the Rams in 2016. It's clearly a win for the Giants that they get to play Green Bay in London rather than at Lambeau Field, where the Packers have been nearly invincible in recent regular seasons (not so much the playoffs).
The first London game is Oct. 2 (Week 4) also at Tottenham Hotspur and features the Vikings vs. the Saints, with New Orleans opening at -1. Both clubs have new head coaches. The Vikings and Saints are both 2-0 in their previous trips to London.
On Oct. 30 (Week 8), the Broncos and Jaguars play at Wembley Stadium in London with Denver and new quarterback Russell Wilson opening at -6.5. Jacksonville plays in London annually. Both these teams also have new head coaches – Denver's Nathaniel Hackett once was an offensive coordinator in Jacksonville. This game will only be available on ESPN+.
The first-ever NFL regular-season game in Germany on Nov. 13 (Week 10) features the Seahawks vs. the Bucs, with Tampa Bay at -8.5. Tom Brady will become the first NFL QB ever to start a game in three different foreign countries: England, Mexico and Germany.
All four London games start at 9:30 a.m. ET. There is also a matchup in Mexico on Monday night, Nov. 21, as the 49ers face the Cardinals with the Niners at -2.5.
In 2005, San Francisco and Arizona played the NFL's first international regular-season game ever, also in Mexico. The Cards at least will have receiver DeAndre Hopkins that late in the season (barring injury) as he has been suspended the first six games for PED use.
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