NEW ORLEANS -- The San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints expect to play each other in London this fall in the NFL's second regular-season game to be played outside of North America.
Both teams said the invitation should come from commissioner Roger Goodell during his Super Bowl address on Friday.
The Saints would lose a home game.
"We are very much aware that we are being considered for this unique and exciting opportunity to represent the league internationally and look forward to the decision of the commissioner this Friday," Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said Monday.
Team president Dean Spanos said he was "cautiously optimistic" the Chargers will be picked in a story posted on the Chargers' Web site. So optimistic, it seems, that the Chargers anticipate the London game will be played on Oct. 26, and that both teams would have byes the following week.
Spanos is a member of the NFL's International Committee. He said he and Goodell spoke about 2 1/2 months ago and again recently.
The game will pit New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees against his old team, and Saints running back Reggie Bush against his hometown team. Brees was allowed to leave the Chargers as a free agent following the 2005 season.
Last season, the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins played in London in the NFL's first regular-season game outside of North America. The Giants won 13-10.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
