Patriots shake up NFL schedule
Keeping an eye on the world of sports during the pandemic:
Postponing the Patriots-Broncos game that was supposed to take place Monday evening was not ideal for the NFL. It takes a wrecking ball to the league’s schedule. The domino effect of having to move just one game is maddening — a total of eight games were rescheduled, affecting six other teams. Yet postponing PatriotsBroncos was the only decision for the NFL to make if it wanted to avoid a player revolt.
The NFL juggled its regular-season schedule due to coronavirus outbreaks with the Titans and Patriots.
Nine teams are being affected, some over a period of weeks through Nov. 22: the Patriots, Titans, Broncos, Bills, Chiefs, Dolphins, Chargers, Jets and Jaguars.
The Broncos’ road game against the Patriots, originally scheduled for Sunday and then moved to Monday night when the Patriots had more positive COVID-19 tests, now will be played next Sunday afternoon.
The Chiefs’ road game against the Bills, which was supposed to be played Thursday night, was moved back to Monday, Oct. 19.
Tuesday night’s game with the Bills at the Titans, which originally was to be played Sunday, remains on schedule despite another positive test result for the Titans.
Other changes:
■ Jets at Chargers moves from Week 6 to Week 11.
■ Jaguars at Chargers moves from Week 8 to Week 7.
■ Chargers at Broncos moves from Week 11 to Week 8.
■ Chargers at Dolphins moves from Week 7 to Week 10.
■ Dolphins at Broncos moves from Week 6 to Week 11.
Changes in off weeks show the Broncos’ switching to this week from Week 8; the Patriots’ from next week to this week; the Chargers’ from Week 10 to next week; the Dolphins’ from Week 10 to next week; the Jaguars’ from Week 7 to Week 8; and the Jets’ from Week 11 to Week 10.
There were no other positive COVID-19 tests Sunday.
The NFL rescheduled the Patriots’ game after cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio, in a take on the outbreaks in the league, noted on a Zoom call that what is occurring with the Titans and Patriots could happen to anyone.
“... I’m under no illusion that at some point we might have a positive test or two and be the cause of a game getting moved down the road, he said. “So, we’re all in this together, the entire league is.”
“I really tried to stay composed during the tournament, during the round, and I’m happy that I got it done.”
— Sei Young Kim, 27, of South Korea, after claiming her first career LPGA major title Sunday with a five-stroke victory at the Women’s
PGA Championship