Only one team for each of the five International Series games has been announced, but unlike in recent years, there are some top teams playing abroad in 2022. The UK will welcome the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Jacksonville Jaguars (again, again), while the Arizona Cardinals will play in Mexico, and Germany will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, which will be the best team – the team most likely to win the Super Bowl – to watch abroad in 2022?
Best 2022 NFL International Game team to watch
By looking at the NFL odds, it’s very clear which of the five travelling teams looks to have the best shot of putting in a Super Bowl-winning performance overseas. At odds of 10/3 to win the NFC Conference and 15/2 to win the Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers are the team to watch. They’re the top picks to win the NFC and second-favourites to go all the way.
Based on the playoffs last season, and how the NFL tips correctly called a close game between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl, many would expect either of these two finalists to be among the favourites. Still, every offseason gives a new chance to improve or a need to shake up the roster, and the Packers certainly look the best to compete is not in the whole NFL, at least out of the International Games teams.
Packers getting the right pieces in place
Just as important as any of the big movers in the 2022 offseason, the Packers managed to sign quarterback superstar and future Hall of Fame inductee Aaron Rodgers to a new contract. Much of last season was spent wondering if he’d stick around, with frustrations showing for all to see from the QB. Still, he will be returning, but he likely wouldn’t have done so without his top weapon.
Placing the franchise tag on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams wasn’t the way that the franchise wanted to secure the playmaker’s services, but had to be done to keep two elite offensive weapons on the roster. With plenty of cap space left and relatively few major pieces testing the open market, the Packers should be able to fill key gaps at inside linebacker, along the defensive line, and the receiving corps.
Given the stack of top-class players testing the open market, and the retirement of Tom Brady, Green Bay’s next closest International Games competitor for Super Bowl VII might just be the New Orleans Saints – out at 25/1 to land the crown. The Saints also have much of their core roster returning – bar Terron Armstead, as it stands – and a fair bit of cap space to lure in necessary free agents.
Still, the biggest call comes for their QB role next season, with Jameis Winston attracting a lot of attention. With Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas hopefully healthy, the offence could be a top unit if a worthy QB joins, with an improvement at defensive tackle rounding out the Saints as potential contenders.
Even if the Saints pull off a few viable miracles in the free agency and draft, the Packers look primed to be the best of the bunch when it comes to the International Games teams announced to date.