NFL Shuffles Schedule to Accommodate COVID Cases
Matthew Sparrow
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For the second week in a row, the NFL decided to change the schedule to allow for teams to record multiple days with no positive COVID-19 tests. The Tennessee Titans, who have registered a total of 23 positive cases throughout their organization, had their Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers pushed back to Week 7.
Meanwhile, the positive test of New England Patriots’ starting quarterback Cam Newton caused their game against the Kansas Chiefs to move back a day from late Sunday afternoon to Monday night. The Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears started three hours later on Sunday to take the Patriots’ slot and the Monday night game between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons began a half hour later than usual.
While Week 4 went as smoothly as possible given the circumstances, more positive tests on multiple teams prompted further significant changes to the schedule. Patriots’ starting cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, tested positive, forcing their Week 5 showdown against the Denver Broncos to shift to Monday for the second week in a row. The game will kick off at 5 PM and be televised on ESPN followed by the Los Angeles Chargers versus the New Orleans Saints as part of a doubleheader.
The undefeated Titans and their highly anticipated clash with the also unbeaten Buffalo Bills rescheduled from Sunday at 1 PM to Tuesday at 7 PM. If the game is played, it will be only the second NFL contest on a Tuesday since 1946. The other, of course, was a 2010 classic between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings that was delayed due to a blizzard. Former college quarterback-turned-wide receiver Joe Webb filled in admirably to lead the Vikes to a miraculous 24-14 victory.
In order for the games to go ahead as planned, the Titans and Patriots, as well as all other teams, must continue to have no new positive tests. The repercussions of the scheduling carousel could be felt into Week 6. Due to the fact that the Bills were supposed to play the Chiefs next Thursday night, but they are now prepared to play the Tuesday before, that Week 6 matchup would likely be pushed back to Sunday to give the team sufficient rest and practice time.
Unfortunately, the league received more bad news on Friday morning: all players and coaches from the New York Jets were sent home after a presumed positive COVID test from a player. Gang Green is holding all of their meetings virtually and the player is being retested to confirm the result. Nonetheless, Sunday’s battle against the Arizona Cardinals is very much up in the air. In this topsy-turvy season, Roger Goodell and the NFL will have to perform yet another juggling act to get everything back on track.