Projecting key dates in NFL’s schedule
Besides the draft, the other big event on April’s NFL calendar is the release of the regular-season schedule. Teams have known their opponents since late December, but Howard Katz and his scheduling department continue to parse through over 50,000 scenarios pumped out by nearly 1,500 computers across the world.
Now that most of the significant free agency moves have taken place, here are some AP projections (suggestions?) on how we see some of the significant scheduling questions being answered:
Kicking it off
The easiest choice to oppose Kansas City during the Sept. 10 kickoff game would be New England because it would be the Patriots’ first game without Tom Brady since early in 2001. But three of the last seven opening games have been playoff rematches. If that trend continues it could be Houston.
New stadiums usually get the Sunday night treatment in Week 2, but with two facilities opening this season, does Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium get its debut on opening weekend? Or does it go to Las Vegas?
With the new coronavirus pandemic possibly leading to delays in LA and Las Vegas, the league could play it safe and show off both in Week 2. If that is the case, Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay debut at home against Drew Brees and New Orleans would be prime-time gold for the opening Sunday.
If the Rams are at home on Sept. 13, don’t be surprised if they are facing Dallas as a thank you gift to Stan Kroenke,
The “Monday Night Football” doubleheader on opening weekend has always been the most difficult, especially the early game. If the Rams are at home on Sunday night, ESPN could then get Brady’s debut. The early MNF game has been an interconference matchup three of the last four seasons. Because the Chiefs are instantly ruled out, that leaves the Chargers at Tampa. The late game usually trends toward an AFC West matchup, but it should go NFC West this year with conference champion San Francisco facing Arizona.
Viva Las Vegas
The Raiders’ new home in Las Vegas should get a prime-time debut in Week 2 either on Sunday or Monday night. The intriguing opponents would be Denver (division game), Tampa Bay (if the Bucs don’t get a prime-time slot in Week 1), or Indianapolis, featuring longtime Raiders foe Philip Rivers, who signed with the Colts after 16 seasons with the Chargers.
Prime-time Bucs
Brady’s arrival all of a sudden boosts Tampa Bay’s stock as a primetime commodity. The Bucs last Sunday night appearance was in 2016 when their game against Dallas was flexed. They haven’t had Sunday and Monday night games in the same season since 2008. But this could be the first time in 17 years Tampa Bay gets four primetime games.
The Bucs’ schedule is a dream slate of quarterback matchups with the Saints (Brees), Packers (Aaron Rodgers) and Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), as well as games against the Vikings, Rams and Raiders.
Stock up
Buffalo: The Bills have not hosted a Sunday night game since 2007, but that is likely to change this year. Besides the Patriots, the Bills also have intriguing home matchups against the Rams, Steelers, Chiefs and Seahawks.
Stock down
New England: It is hard to see the Patriots making more than three appearances without Brady and with a lot of uncertainty. Other than division matchups, the Patriots host the Broncos and 49ers, along with road games against the Chiefs and Seahawks.