If a report from ESPN’s John Clayton is accurate, the schedule for the first four weeks of the NFL season will feature only AFC vs. NFC matchups.
The reason for this arrangement would be to give the league some flexibility in case the start of the regular season needs to be delayed on account of the COVID-19 epidemic. Divisional and conference games would be prioritized and, in theory at least, any competitive advantages to the schedule would be minimized should the start of the season have to be delayed.
Based on Clayton’s report, the Saints, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Falcons would be the Raiders first four opponents. The Saints and Buccaneers are slated as home games while the Falcons and Panthers are on the road.
Of course the Raiders also need to finish their stadium in Las Vegas in time to host a game in 2020. The stadium’s projected completion date is reportedly ahead of schedule, but the project has also seen 16 workers to date test positive for coronavirus.
Just a guess, but there probably aren’t many scenarios that the state of Nevada (and city of Las Vegas) will consider worthy of delaying the construction of the stadium. With so much money on the line, expect all parties involved to find a way to keep the project moving forward… and finish just in time for the Raiders to host Tom Brady on opening Monday night in prime time.
The NFL schedule will officially be released on Thursday, May 7, at 5:00 PST.
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