2016 London NFL Games: Miami not included in the list

The Miami Dolphins will play 16 games in the United States next year. That will be the first time in three years in which that statement will be true. The Dolphins had played in London as a part of the NFL's International Series the previous two seasons, as the visiting team against the Oakland Raiders in 2014 and this year as the home team against the New York Jets. In 2016, despite a bevy of rumors on Tuesday, the Dolphins will not make the trip to the United Kingdom.

The three games to be played in London next year will be:

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 2, 2016
NFC East Opponent at St. Louis Rams - October 23, 2016
Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals - October 30, 2016

The NFC East vs. St. Louis Rams game will be played at London's Twickenham Stadium, the first time one of the International Series games will not be played at Wembley Stadium. The other two will both be played at Wembley. The opponent for the Rams will be determined by whichever NFC East team finishes in the same respective division position as the Rams at the end of the 2015 season. This could also mark the first time a team has had two games in London, with Redskins potentially playing two weeks in a row in the second half of October, if they finish in the same position as the Rams.

Part of what caused the rumors for the Dolphins to be included in the International Series slate of games for 2016 is a scheduled conference call with the British media for Miami rookie running back Jay Ajayi. The press conference will take place later today, but was scheduled at the request of the media, and not tied to the International Series games. Ajayi was born in London and the British media requested to speak with him.

Traditionally, each of the teams who play in London receive their bye week the weekend after the game, so part of the 2016 NFL schedule is falling into place already. Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season will be September 8-12.