Why doesn’t the NFL add an 18th week?
Q : Ryan, can you explain why the NFL decided to restructure the schedule for several teams instead of just postponing the Broncos- Patriots game until Week 18? It seems like that would’ve been a much easier solution, especially when there’s another COVID- 19 outbreak in the future.
— Brandon, Denver
Ryan: I’ll give it a shot, Brandon. This is my take: The NFL is loathed to create a Week 18, not because it moves the playoffs a week back and potentially the Super Bowl a week back, but what happens if a team has to make up two games? That’s why the league office has been engaged in scheduling gymnastics.
In the back of their collective mind, the league should be planning for a Week 18, but only if a team like the Broncos has another game postponed because of the virus. We don’t know if there’s going to be another outbreak in the future; we’ve had only one so far ( Tennessee). New England had four, which isn’t an outbreak in my view.
Let’s say there are two games that haven’t been played when Week 17 is completed. If it’s four teams making up those two games, the NFL should add an 18th week for playoff and draftpick reasons.
Q : Do you think this impromptu bye week is going to affect the team later in the season? The Broncos are basically going 17 straight weeks without that usual rest period.
— Morris P., San Diego
Ryan: The NFL isn’t fair in general and it isn’t fair during a pandemic in particular. The Broncos have games scheduled the next 12 weeks, the same as Tennessee, Green Bay, Detroit and New England.
If the Broncos’ players want to look at the situation as half- full: They had four consecutive days off after their Thursday night game at the New York Jets and had three consecutive days off ( save for a Saturday morning meeting) this past weekend. That coupled with how coach Vic Fangio handles the practice schedule should help.
What will be interesting is how sharp the Broncos are against New England this Sunday. They will have 17 days between the Jets game and the Patriots game.
Q : Will Tim Patrick finally have that breakout year in 2020? With Courtland Sutton out and the recent injuries to KJ Hamler and Noah Fant, it feels like the
perfect storm for him to take it to the next level. He looked really good in Week 4 and has flashed moments of brilliance throughout his time here in Denver. And if Fant is out for a while, will we see more from Jake Butt?
— Matt, Grand Junction
Ryan: Through four games, he is already breaking out — he ranks second on the Broncos with 16 catches and third with 209 receiving yards. Minus Sutton ( ACL) for the year and possibly Hamler ( hamstring)/ Fant ( ankle) against New England and then Kansas City, Patrick will play a featured role in the passing game opposite Jerry Jeudy. Patrick had six catches for 113 yards against the Jets in Week 4.
Initially, I thought Fant’s injury would keep him out until after the bye week ( three missed games). Now the hope should be that he is back for Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers ( two missed games). Butt will be the beneficiary of Fant’s absence when the Broncos go with two tight ends ( Butt and Nick Vannett) or want a pass- catching tight end on the field in three- receiver personnel.
Q : How much will we see of Phillip Lindsay when he returns? Is he a 1A/ 1B guy with Melvin Gordon or does he drop into that No. 2 spot?
— Bryce Anderson, Chicago
Ryan: An interesting decision for Fangio and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is coming up Sunday.
Yes, the extra week of recovery and practice time should benefit Lindsay, who hasn’t played since the first half of Week 1 ( toe injury). But, there is no substitute for game action to regain a rhythm.
Had the Broncos played New England on Monday, I expected Lindsay to be eased into the flow so he could test his injury, conditioning and sharpness. Now that they’re playing this Sunday, maybe Lindsay’s workload is close to a regular level but I figure Fangio/ Shurmur will wait to see Lindsay’s first handful of snaps before deciding what his role should be.