Ranking the Hardest Road Trips in the NFL This Season
Almost everyone loves a good road trip. A road trip provides a chance to get away from home, spend time with your buddies and experience new environments in foreign places.
In the National Football League, however, road trips are usually counterproductive. They mean playing games in a hostile environment, and they often include some pretty taxing travel.
These road trips are much less fun.
This season, we have some NFL road trips that look absolutely brutal. We're going to take a look at the ones we feel are the worst of the worst and rank them according to factors such as quality of opponents, geographical distance and timing.
Our choices here are limited to road trips that include at least two consecutive games. This means that no matter how tough a trip to London can be, we're dismissing these trips unless also accompanied by another road game.
8. Packers Travel East
1 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 11 | at Jaguars |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | at Vikings |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | Lions |
| 4 | BYE | — |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | Giants |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | Cowboys |
| 7 | Thursday, Oct. 20 | Bears |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 30 | at Falcons |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | Colts |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | at Titans |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | at Redskins |
| 12 | Monday, Nov. 28 | at Eagles |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | Texans |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | Seahawks |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 18 | at Bears |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | Vikings |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | at Lions |
A three-game road trip scheduled in November for the Green Bay Packers comes in at the bottom of these rankings. During that three-game stretch, the Packers will face the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Green Bay is one of only two teams to see a three-game road trip this season. The other team is Washington.
While any three-week road trip can prove difficult, Green Bay's looming one doesn't appear nearly as difficult as it could be. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, all three November road games will be played in the Eastern time zone. The Packers could choose to stay east for the three contests in order to avoid repeated bouts of jet lag.
The other reason why this road trip isn't as daunting as some is the fact the three opponents posted a combined record of just 19-29 in 2015. This isn't a juggernaut of a three-game slate for the Packers.
Still, this isn't a vacation for them, either. The team will be itching to get back home by the end of this road trip.
7. Jets' October Traveling
2 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 11 | Bengals |
| 2 | Thursday, Sept. 15 | at Bills |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Chiefs |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | Seahawks |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | at Steelers |
| 6 | Monday, Oct. 17 | at Cardinals |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | Ravens |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 30 | at Browns |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | at Dolphins |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | Rams |
| 11 | BYE | — |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | Patriots |
| 13 | Monday, Dec. 5 | Colts |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | at 49ers |
| 15 | Saturday, Dec. 17 | Dolphins |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Patriots |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Bills |
The New York Jets failed to close out a strong season with a playoff spot in 2015. If they want to finish the process in 2016, they're going to have to navigate three different two-game road stretches. The one that makes our list here, though, is the one that comes in October.
The Jets face a pair of talented teams who made the 2015 postseason in the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively. The game in Arizona will come in front of a nationally televised audience, which won't make things any easier.
There are a couple of reasons why this will be a tough road trip for New York. The Steelers and Cardinals are both quality opponents—Pro Football Focus rated the Steelers 13th overall as a team and rated the Cardinals sixth overall as a team for the 2015 season. In addition, this two-game stretch caps a vicious six-week opening schedule for the Jets.
In all, the Jets will face five teams that made the 2015 playoffs within the first six weeks of the season. They will also be finishing another two-week road stint a couple of weeks before the start of this one. The game sandwiched between them comes at home against the always-dangerous Seattle Seahawks.
There's a strong chance the Jets will already be worn and weary by the time they reach Pittsburgh for the start of this road trip.
6. Washington's NFC East Sandwich
3 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Monday, Sept. 12 | Steelers |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | Cowboys |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Giants |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | Browns |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | at Ravens |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | Eagles |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | at Lions |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 30 | at Bengals (UK) |
| 9 | BYE | — |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | Vikings |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | Packers |
| 12 | Thursday, Nov. 24 | at Cowboys |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Cardinals |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | at Eagles |
| 15 | Monday, Dec. 19 | Panthers |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Bears |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Giants |
Because of the weakened state of the NFC East, we don't really believe that the overall road schedule for the Washington Redskins is all that intimidating. However, there are a couple of road series that do stand out.
The one we're looking at here starts in late November and involves a pair of NFC East rivals. In Week 12, Washington will have to travel to Dallas to take on the hated Cowboys. This game comes on a short week and after a playoff rematch with the Green Bay Packers.
Two weeks later, the Redskins will be traveling to take on another division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, these division games aren't what make this road trip truly noteworthy. The Cowboys and Eagles are familiar opponents and teams that the Redskins went a combined 3-1 against a year ago.
What makes this road trip potentially rocky is that sandwiched between the division rivals is a cross-country trip to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona should be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2016 and is a team that could give Washington fits on the road. The fact that the Redskins are going to have to make a long journey to face the Cardinals only works in Arizona's favor.
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5. Giants' October Trip
4 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 11 | at Cowboys |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | Saints |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | Redskins |
| 4 | Monday, Oct. 3 | at Vikings |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | at Packers |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | Ravens |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | at Rams (UK) |
| 8 | BYE | — |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | Eagles |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | Bengals |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | Bears |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | at Browns |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Steelers |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | Cowboys |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 18 | Lions |
| 16 | Thursday, Dec. 22 | at Eagles |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | at Redskins |
This year, the New York Giants will be looking to rebound from last season's 6-10 disappointment. However, there are a couple of looming road trips that could make the task difficult.
The road trip we're looking at is the one the Giants will embark upon in early October. This trip features back-to-back games against dangerous NFC North opponents.
The first game comes in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, a team that won the NFC North last season. This game is on a Monday night and will come in front of a nationally televised audience. These two teams met in Week 16 last season, and the Giants suffered a 49-17 embarrassment.
New York then faces a six-day turnaround and a battle with the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay is another talented team that managed to reach the postseason in 2015. Lambeau Field is also a notoriously difficult place for visiting teams to find victories.
This road trip is likely to prove difficult for the Giants because of the opponents involved and because of the timing. Pro Football Focus rated the Packers and Vikings 10th and 11th overall, respectively, as teams in 2015. These games also come early in the season, when the Giants may still be trying to adjust to life with new head coach Ben McAdoo and without longtime coach Tom Coughlin.
4. Rams Go Across the Pond
5 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Monday Sept. 12 | at 49ers |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | Seahawks |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Buccaneers |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | at Cardinals |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | Bills |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | at Lions |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | Giants (UK) |
| 8 | BYE | — |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | Panthers |
| 10 | Sunday. Nov. 13 | at Jets |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | Dolphins |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | at Saints |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Patriots |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | Falcons |
| 15 | Thursday, Dec. 15 | at Seahawks |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 49ers |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Cardinals |
The Los Angeles Rams will be one of six NFL teams to play in London this season, though their trip seems to fit in with owner Stan Kroenke's desire for a larger global brand.
Kroenke also holds ownership in the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Rapids and England's Arsenal FC.
“I think in Stan’s vision, Los Angeles and London are on par as world-class cities, and you can link those opportunities with the Denver opportunities for an international platform,” Rams executive vice president of football operations and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff recently said, per Les Carpenter of the Guardian.
While it certainly seems like Kroenke and the Rams are looking to expand into European and possibly Asian markets (they've volunteered to play in China in 2018), this year's trip to London is likely to be rough.
For starters, the Rams face a travel distance of roughly 5,400 miles in total. They're also looking at a road game against the Detroit Lions the week before their international contest against the New York Giants.
While it helps that Detroit is at least on the way to London from Los Angeles, the fact the London contest is coming in the second week of the trip will work against the Rams. This one is going to be a tough trip to stomach for the players involved.
The reason this trip isn't higher on our list is quality of opponents. The Lions and Giants combined for an underwhelming 13-19 record in 2015.
3. Redskins Travel to London
6 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Monday, Sept. 12 | Steelers |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | Cowboys |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Giants |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | Browns |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | at Ravens |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | Eagles |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | at Lions |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 30 | at Bengals (UK) |
| 9 | BYE | — |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | Vikings |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | Packers |
| 12 | Thursday, Nov. 24 | at Cowboys |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Cardinals |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | at Eagles |
| 15 | Monday, Dec. 19 | Panthers |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Bears |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Giants |
We've already looked at one road trip for this team, but one we think will be tougher is the one the Washington Redskins will embark upon near midseason. This road trip involves a flight across the pond to play in London, but the international excursion is only part of the equation.
What makes this trip especially brutal is the fact the Redskins will travel a little more than 500 miles west to face the Detroit Lions on the road at its beginning. Washington will likely then travel back to the East Coast before making the trek across the ocean to England. Once there, the Redskins will take on a dangerous team in the Cincinnati Bengals.
As a team, the Bengals were rated fifth overall by Pro Football Focus in 2015. They didn't lose a game to a team that didn't wind up in the postseason, either.
Facing the Bengals after two lengthy trips and a number of time-zone changes could have a seriously negative impact on the Redskins. The Bengals will play at home against the woeful Cleveland Browns the week before their trip overseas. To say Cincinnati should have a decided advantage in this game is a bit of an understatement.
Washington may be able to win its first game of the trip. Because of the quality of the opponent, the number of miles traveled and the zigzag travel route, however, it's difficult to envision the Redskins finishing this one on a high note.
2. 49ers' September Start
7 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Monday, Sept. 12 | Rams |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | at Panthers |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | at Seahawks |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 2 | Cowboys |
| 5 | Thursday, Oct. 6 | Cardinals |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | at Bills |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | Buccaneers |
| 8 | BYE | — |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | Saints |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | at Cardinals |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | Patriots |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | at Dolphins |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Bears |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | Jets |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 18 | at Falcons |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Rams |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Seahawks |
The San Francisco 49ers are undergoing their second restart in as many seasons this year, this one coming under new head coach Chip Kelly. The start to this restart could be especially rocky, as Weeks 2 and 3 bring a pair of nightmare road matchups for the 49ers.
San Francisco will kick off its season with a home game against the Los Angeles Rams. This is going to be a challenge in itself. However, things only get more difficult from there. In Week 2, San Francisco will be forced to travel all the way east to face the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers.
This will be a long trip against a team that was rated best overall in the NFL by Pro Football Focus last season.
As if the Carolina game weren't intimidating enough, the 49ers will then have to make their way back west for a road game against the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks. This is a scenario that hasn't favored the 49ers in quite some time.
The 49ers haven't won a regular-season game at CenturyLink Field since the end of the 2011 season. Tarvaris Jackson started that game for Seattle.
Because it is coming early in a critical rebuilding season for the 49ers—and because it features two of the most challenging opponents on San Francisco's schedule—this road trip ranks high on our difficulty scale.
1. Dolphins' Opening Road Trip
8 of 8
| Week | Day/Date | Opponent |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 11 | at Seahawks |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 18 | at Patriots |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 25 | Browns |
| 4 | Thursday, Sept. 29 | at Bengals |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 9 | Titans |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 16 | Steelers |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 23 | Bills |
| 8 | BYE | — |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 6 | Jets |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 13 | at Chargers |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 20 | at Rams |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 49ers |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 4 | at Ravens |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 11 | Cardinals |
| 15 | Saturday, Dec. 17 | at Jets |
| 16 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | at Bills |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 1 | Patriots |
For the toughest road trip of 2016, we're picking the one the Miami Dolphins are going to face at the very beginning of their season.
The timing of this road trip is bad for Miami. This is a retooling franchise that is looking to find its way under new head coach Adam Gase. The Dolphins will need to get off to a hot start if they have any hope of making ground in the competitive AFC East. Unfortunately, this daunting road trip makes that scenario most unlikely.
Miami gets to begin its season on the West Coast against the rugged and physical Seattle Seahawks. This game isn't close to home and is against an opponent used to having its way in its own stadium. If there is a positive to be found here, it's that Miami will have from the end of the preseason to make the trip and to adjust to Seattle conditions.
Things don't get any easier the following week, though. In Week 2, the Dolphins will travel back east for a matchup with the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Dolphins haven't won at Gillette Stadium since September of the 2008 season, the day Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams started running the Wildcat (it's been awhile).
On top of the locations and the timing involved with this road trip, we also have to consider that these are two stout opponents. Pro Football Focus rated the Patriots and Seahawks second and fourth, respectively, overall among teams for the 2015 season.
This is going to be a difficult opening gauntlet to overcome. Good luck, Dolphins.
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