Tampa Bay Buccaneers Employ Ingenious Strategy to Gain Home Advantage Against Seattle Seahawks When They Collide in Germany

Published 11/09/2022, 5:00 PM EST
The NFL has crossed boundaries to reach millions all over the world. The league’s international fixtures are a thing of spectacle for foreign fans. Over the years, many countries have hosted the NFL, like the UK, Japan and Mexico. Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one coming up next week. And it’s not as easy as it seems.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Seahawks next Sunday at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The fans are looking forward to the clash, but this is an especially tiresome period for the staff and organization. There is a lot that goes into an NFL team of 150 players and staff members travelling to international games.
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Jet-lag is crucial to consider in international fixtures
Jet-lag is a major factor that affects player performance and the organisation’s performance trackers take special means to ensure that their players are fully ready when match day comes. Tampa Bay has come up with some unique solutions to these problems before facing Seattle. Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the LA Rams last Sunday through a vintage Tom Brady game-winning drive. And now they are set to host Geno Smith and the Seahawks in Munich.
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Although this is a home game for Brady’s Bucs, both teams having to travel across the Atlantic defeats the home advantage completely. Tampa Bay has a slight advantage over the Seahawks since Brady and his teammates are on a 6-hour difference compared to the 8-hour time difference for their west coast rivals.
Dec 26, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to head coach Bruce Arians before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
The Seattle Seahawks reach Munich on Thursday after an 11-hour flight while the Buccaneers reach on Friday. Along with the usual nutrition, hydration and medical items, the Tampa Bay training staff have two cutting-edge solutions to the jet-lag issue.
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How will Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoy the home advantage in Munich?
Tom Brady and his teammates will get blue light-blocking glasses to prepare them for the flight. Football players mostly spend their time on the plane between looking at their phones and napping. The Buccaneers staff wants to ensure that no player is suffering from sleep deprivation because of the 6-hour differential between EST and CEST. The blue light-blocking glasses provide comfort to the eyes and ensure increased performance.
Another ingenious measure to maintain optimum fitness is an electrical stimulation device called Firefly. Multiple players already use firefly in the States, but they realise the maximum utility during international travel. Firefly reduces player fatigue and increases blood flow and oxygen levels for the muscles. The technology involves sending electrical pulses to the peroneal nerves in the leg. This creates a small flutter and activates blood regulation by almost 400%.
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International games are always tricky. Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a tough task ahead. They have to handle the logistics and send over medical equipment, practice equipment and computer IT peripherals. The glasses and Firefly are bound to provide an edge to the Buccaneers against the in-form Seattle Seahawks.