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The NFL is expanding its calendar — and strengthening its growing connection to Europe.
For the first time, the NFL will have a game on Black Friday, and it will be broadcast by a company already associated with the unofficial holiday: Amazon.
The game will feature the New York Jets, who are enjoying a boost in interest after trading for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, taking on the Miami Dolphins.
The league, which will release its full schedule on Thursday evening, announced select games on Wednesday.
The NFL will play five games in Europe, which will give the Jacksonville Jaguars an extended two-game stay in London – another first for the league. They’ll take on the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 1, then face the Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium one week later.
Tottenham will host a third NFL game in London on Oct. 15, when the Tennessee Titans play the Baltimore Ravens.
The league will also stage a pair of games in Germany’s Frankfurt Stadium — yet another first — with the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs heading there on Nov. 5, followed by the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts a week later.
The games are likely to stoke more speculation that the league will launch one or more teams in Europe — a concept commissioner Roger Goodell has floated publicly.
The league is also placing certain marquee matchups on holidays, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the New York Giants on Christmas and the Chiefs hosting the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Eve.
