Yeah, MLB slit its own throat by ignoring the obvious problems with the game for years on end (three and a half-hour games, out of control PEDs, etc.). While people will argue about some of the NFL's decisions (international games, Thursday night football, rule changes) the sport's audience goes up every year, both home and abroad.
I don't particularly like the international games, either, but they are part of the league's long-term strategy. I believe that strategy includes not just increasing the overseas TV audience, but increasing the number of kids playing football overseas. Football participation is shrinking in the US and in order to ensure a strong product, I think the NFL is hoping to be able to develop a pipeline of foreign talent, much like the NBA has done. The NFL has a long way to go--and football faces obstacles overseas that basketball does not--but it's certainly not impossible.