‘I went to mattress simply actually early’: How Mac Jones, Patriots ready for journey to Germany

To assist acclimate himself to German time, Jones made a easy adjustment in his preparation.

“I went to mattress simply actually early,” he stated. “I bumped the whole lot up, like I talked about. Hopefully, that’ll helps us in the long term.”

The Patriots’ resolution to journey and land in Germany a bit of greater than 48 hours previous to kickoff (which is at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday) is a distinct strategy than what the Dolphins took for his or her recreation towards the Chiefs final week in Germany. Miami traveled abroad on Tuesday, however Kansas Metropolis traveled late Thursday.

As some may assume the Dolphins’ strategy to spend further time in Germany to acclimate to the time distinction could be extra helpful, Patriots coach Invoice Belichick stated that they opted to make use of an analogous schedule for what they did once they traveled to London in 2009 and 2012.

“I believe the general preparation at residence, not attempting to deliver all of our stuff right here, however attempting to do nearly all of the groundwork at residence and canopy all of the issues,” Belichick stated on the Patriots’ resolution to journey later within the week. “Then come right here at present and overview it — at present after which tomorrow — after which play the sport. It felt like that was essentially the most environment friendly manner for us.

“However, it might be completely different for different groups, I don’t know. I don’t must touch upon that. For us, we felt prefer it was the easiest way for us to function. We’ve finished it that manner earlier than, I believe all people could be very snug with it.”

Belichick additionally stated that the group packed in three days’ value of apply preparation into the Wednesday and Thursday practices. Patriots security Jabrill Peppers stated that he “completely” seen the distinction in preparation this week.

“We mixed two days,” he stated. “It was lots of info, however we’ve acquired lots of good guys. We are able to deal with it. All that’s left to do is overview and clear up the errors from apply. See if we are able to swap up some issues, add some issues, and execute the sport plan.”

The Patriots practiced once more although on Friday. They labored out at DFB Campus, which is the house of the German nationwide soccer group. Because the Patriots had a while to kill following their flight, they had been suggested to not do one factor specifically.

“We had been informed to not nap after we acquired off the aircraft so we’ll be drained and will sleep tonight,” Rhamondre Stevenson stated. “We acquired to the lodge, settled in our rooms, acquired breakfast, after which we had been straight to conferences.”

The truth is, it appeared just like the gamers had been suggested to get their shuteye on the aircraft.

“I slept the entire manner,” Peppers stated. “I had a reasonably good gameplan, and I executed it, too.”

Peppers additionally gave out some tips that could anybody who may be flying to Europe in a single day within the close to future.

“Don’t take a nap earlier than you get on a flight,” he stated. “Attempt to get you meal and take a bit of little bit of melatonin. You’ve acquired to have one of many seats that flip right into a mattress too, that positively helps.”

Patriots operating again Ezekiel Elliott credited the teaching employees for making their schedule “seem like our regular workweek schedule,” noting that the one distinction was touring on Thursday as an alternative of Saturday for a street recreation.

Belichick and the teaching employees additionally had a message for the group upon their arrival.

“Simply take pleasure in it,” Peppers stated of Belichick’s message. “On the finish of the day, we all know we’ve acquired a job to do and that’s to return away with a win. Nothing’s extra essential than profitable.”