The NFL is finally expected to add another game to their regular season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday, the NFL is expected to officially expand the regular season from 16 games to 17 games starting in 2021.
The change to the schedule has been long expected, and even the Buffalo Bills’ potential new opponent is something we’ve known as well: The Washington Football Team.
Previously, the NFL and players worked out a new collective bargaining agreement in March 2020 and in that an additional game was approved upon. Under the expanded regular-season schedule, the 17th game would be an inter-conference matchup, which brings about Washington.
Though the NFL hasn’t confirmed or announced any matchups yet, it’s expected the AFC East will take on the NFC East and that will rotate each year. This slates Buffalo hosting the Football Team because they also finished first in their division last season. Washington did so with only a 7-9 record.
A Bills-Football Team matchup could also shape up to be a return of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to Bills Stadium next year. He recently signed in Washington as a free agent and is expected to have a chance to earn the starting job.
This potential scheduling change is expected to become official this week as the NFL’s annual owners’ meeting takes place virtually.
Moving forward with the schedule change, the AFC and NFC will switch who is the home team in the added 17th game every year. In 2022, the Bills will play on the road.
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