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Jaguars will play Packers in Jacksonville, not London

We all thought the Jaguars were going to "host" the Packers in London in 2016. That is, until Shad Khan stepped in.

By Ryan Day
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars were reportedly playing the Green Bay Packers in London in 2016.

Then owner Shad Khan was reluctant to do so.

Now it's official that the Jaguars will be playing the Packers in Jacksonville.

According to president Mark Lamping, the Jaguars-Packers matchup will be in Jacksonville at EverBank Field.

Besides the Packers, the Jaguars will host the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and an AFC North opponent. That's precisely why Khan continued to fight to keep this game in Jacksonville. Any game that's moved to London will undoubtedly sell out and a Packers game in Jacksonville will do the same. Keep a prime matchup in Jacksonville and you have two near-guarantee sellouts in 2016, not one.

However, put the Packers game in London and keep, say, the Raiders or Vikings in Jacksonville, and you're facing an uphill battle. Khan wanted a home game in London for the financial stability it would create. And he fought to make sure a near-guaranteed sellout with the Packers stayed in Jacksonville.

Thanks, Shad.

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