Tag: 2020 NFL schedule

Full extent of Dolphins rescheduling revealed in NFL release

Full extent of Dolphins rescheduling revealed in NFL release

 

It’s been quite the eventful Sunday for the Miami Dolphins — and their Week 5 contest against the San Francisco 49ers hasn’t even kicked off yet. The Dolphins will take the field within the hour to play the defending NFC Champion 49ers. But the rest of the Dolphins schedule has been substantially tweaked as the NFL looks to avoid setbacks amid ongoing COVID-19 positive cases in New England and Tennessee.

Miami was originally slated to play the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 6 — but that will not be the case. The Dolphins were then expected to hold a bye week in Week 6 and have their game against the Broncos moved to Week 11. That initial report was only part true: as the Dolphins will indeed play the Broncos in Week 11. But they will not be off next week as was initially suggested amid the schedule changes.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter released the full list of NFL schedule changes this afternoon:

In all, Miami has seen their bye week jump from Week 11 to Week 7. The team will now face the New York Jets (at home) next week at 4:05 PM EST before taking their now earlier than previously scheduled bye week. The team will then return from the bye to host the Los Angeles Rams before a road game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9 (both as originally scheduled) and then taking on the Chargers at home and then heading to Denver.

You got all that? Yes? Are you sure?

It’s enough changes to make your head spin. But for the Dolphins, today is still pretty simple. Take the field and try to secure a victory against the 49ers before sitting down and sifting through the changes in the month ahead.

Bills Wire 2020 staff record predictions

Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL season predictions from the Bills Wire staff.

Let’s get right to it. The Bills Wire team came together and provided how we see the 2020 Buffalo Bills season going.

Here’s how each of our contributors record predictions and the upcoming season:

David De Cristofaro, Contributing Writer

Prediction: 12-4

Last season, the Bills bucked most preseason predictions to earn 10 wins and a playoff berth. While the Bills lost in the first round, it was in a game that could have been won. The Bills did that without the improved talent on their already-imposing defense as well as the replenished offensive unit they have now.

Buffalo’s new-look receiving corps is ranked in the top-five in the NFL by analysts, as the Bills added an elite talent in Stefon Diggs to that group as well as a ready-to-contribute addition to the backfield in Zack Moss. Both should translate into opening up the passing game and creating headaches for opposing defenses. With Diggs and Singletary both commanding attention, it should create more playmaking opportunities for returning contributors like John Brown, Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox as well as rookies like Moss and Gabriel Davis. Moss’s catch-and-run abilities could potentially add a Kareem Hunt/Alvin Kamara-like option in the offense.

The defense also added another key piece to pressuring opposing quarterbacks in AJ Epenesa and at cornerback with Josh Norman whose star rose in McDermott’s system back in Carolina. Even at efficiency, Norman’s coverage on No. 2 receivers complementing Tre White could be a nightmare for passers. The way Buffalo defended the Ravens, providing a blueprint for other teams by forcing Lamar Jackson to throw by containing the run jumps to mind… It’s exciting to imagine how adding a player like Norman, with forces like Epensesa, Ed Oliver, Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds collapsing pockets, could help pressure quarterbacks into defensive stops and turnovers.

In terms of players taking a next step in 2020, we have Allen, as the passing game will open up to showcase more of his arm strength throwing downfield. Tight end Dawson Knox, who flashed some big play potential last season, may get more mismatches and open looks with the expanded offensive group. On the defensive side, anticipate Ed Oliver begins to shine in an expanded role in his second year with the team.

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See where the Vikings schedule ranks in terms of strength

Bleacher Report ranked the Minnesota Vikings slate below average in terms of toughness.

The Vikings don’t have a cakewalk to get back to the playoffs this season.

Minnesota has the 10th hardest schedule in terms of teams’ 2019 winning percentages. Despite that, Bleacher Report ranked the Vikings slate below average in terms of toughness.

The outlet recently did a power rankings of schedule strength among all teams and the Vikings were 17th in the NFL. Here’s what it said about Minnesota:

“It’s actually about as average as it gets. Seven matchups with teams projected to win nine-plus games, four with teams projected to win seven or fewer, just two against teams expected to post double-digit win totals and slightly-above-.500 winning rates based on both 2019 results and 2020 odds.”

The Vikings schedule is interesting because there are some teams that look to be in store for regression, like the Texans and Titans. Then there are some breakthrough candidates, like the Buccaneers and Colts. Currently, it’s hard to say just how hard or easy Minnesota’s schedule will actually be.

Full list of players that opted-out for Bills’ 2020 opponents

Which players from Buffalo Bills’ 2020 opponents opted-out of the 2020 NFL season?

On Thursday, the much anticipated deadline in the NFL came and went. Typically we’re referencing the trade deadline, but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we received a new one this offseason.

A new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA slated a 4 p.m. deadline for players in the league to opt out of playing next season due to safety concerns in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s unlikely the league will have fans in seats in September, but the plan for now is to have professional football happen, with 66 less players participating.

That number is total number of players that decided not to play next season. Of those, two were from the Bills, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and cornerback EJ Gaines. In the remaining 64, there were many players who would have suited up against the Bills, potentially, next season.

It’s well known that player opt-outs stung the Patriots pretty heavily, but there’s still 12 other teams to consider on the Bills’ 2020 schedule. Who opted out amongst all 13 opponents Buffalo will face next year? Your full list here:

Dolphins

  • WR Allen Hurns
  • WR Albert Wilson II

Jets

  • WR Josh Doctson
  • OL Leo Holoamatangi
  • LB CJ Mosley

Patriots

  • RB Brandon Bolden
  • OT Marcus Cannon
  • S Patrick Chung
  • LB Dont’a Hightower
  • TE Matt LaCosse
  • WR Marquise Lee
  • OL Najee Toran
  • FB Danny Vitale

Rams

  • OT Chandler Brewer

Raiders

  • LB Ukeme Eligwe
  • DB DJ Killings
  • DE Jeremiah Valoaga

Titans

  • OT Anthony McKinney

Chiefs

  • RB Damien Williams
  • OL Lucas Niang
  • OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Seahawks

  • OL Chance Warmack

Cardinals

  • OL Marcus Gilbert

Chargers

  • N/A

49ers

  • WR Travis Benjamin
  • OL Shon Coleman
  • C Jake Brendal

Steelers

  • N/A

Broncos

  • OL Ja-Wuan James
  • DL Kyle Peko

 

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Bills announce season ticket holders can skip 2020 season

Buffalo Bills season ticket update: Fans can skip 2020 for 2021.

The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that season ticket holders will have the option to skip the 2020 season without any penalty due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It’s unclear if fans, of any amount, will be allowed to attend games this fall just yet.

The release from the Bills reads, in part:

All season ticket members will be given the opportunity to opt out of their season ticket commitment for this season with an option to return for the 2021 season while maintaining their account seniority and seat location. An email with opt-out information will be sent in the coming days.

The Bills have reportedly already started drawing up seating plans at New Era Field in regard to smaller seating capacities. The NFL also announced last week that team’s will be allowed to “tarp off” lower seating levels and use those to sell advertisements, if they so choose. With this recent Bills season ticket news, that option seems likely to be flexed by the team.

Click here for the full announcement from the team.

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Texans S Justin Reid believes Chiefs, Ravens games could set tone for 2020

Safety Justin Reid believes the Houston Texans can set the tone with two wins out of the gate against the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

Everyone acknowledges the Houston Texans have the toughest two games to start the 2020 season. On Sept. 10, the AFC South champions open up on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston then opens up NRG Stadium in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, who earned the No. 1 seed int he AFC last season.

The Texans defense faces the previous two years’ MVPs in quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

Texans safety Justin Reid sees the toughest part of the schedule as a chance to send a warning shot across the bow of the entire league.

“We take home those two Ws, then other teams are going to be like: ‘The Houston Texans are the team to look out for,'” Reid told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Reid, who collected 78 tackles, two interceptions, five breakups, and a fumble recovery in 15 games last year, wants the best the NFL has to offer.

“We don’t want to play scrubs,” said Reid. “We want to play the best. We want to beat the best. It’s going to be an awesome opportunity to go against Patrick Mahomes again. There will be fireworks flying and an exciting game for everybody to watch.”

Week 1 features a 2019 AFC divisional playoff rematch between Houston and Kansas City. Despite the Texans leading 24-0, the Chiefs stormed back to blowout Houston 51-31 en route to winning Super Bowl LIV.

While Reid admits it isn’t difficult to fire him up for a game, that particular aspect of redemption stirs his motivational juices.

Said Reid: “I think this is an opportunity for us to get the taste out of our mouth. It’s an opportunity for us to set a standard for who we’re going to be the entire season. The first three games right off the gate, especially the first two games (with) Kansas City and Baltimore right out of the gate, I think that is going to set a precedent.”

After the Texans face the Chiefs and Ravens, they go on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Texans are 2-0 ahead of that matchup, Pittsburgh will know they are hosting a juggernaut at Heinz Field.

Could Texans DE J.J. Watt kneel during the national anthem in 2020?

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt expressed on Twitter a possibility of taking a knee during the national anthem in 2020.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt could be one of the newcomers to kneeling during the national anthem when the 2020 NFL season kicks off.

A Twitter user opined that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year won’t be a part of the protests during the national anthem by stating, “Pretty sure you won’t see @JJWatt taking a knee…” followed by three American flag emojis.

Watt replied at high noon Central Time Saturday that the Twitter user doesn’t represent his views and that Watt’s own perception of the kneeling during the national anthem isn’t about disrespecting the flag or the American military.

Community outreach has been near to Watt’s heart since he entered the league. In 2017, Watt won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his efforts in fundraising over $33 million for south Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 sparked outrage across the country, but also stirred Watt.

“I’ve seen the video and I think it’s disgusting,” Watt told reporters on May 27. “I think that there’s no explanation for it, to me it doesn’t make any sense. I just don’t see how a man in handcuffs on the ground, who is clearly detained and clearly in distress, I don’t understand how that situation can’t be remedied in a way that doesn’t end in his death. I think that it needs to be addressed strongly, obviously, and I just don’t see how that situation makes any sense whatsoever, and I think that anybody who saw the video, anybody who — I don’t know how you can defend it. I mean, it’s terrible. It’s extremely difficult to watch and it’s upsetting.”

In a similar vein, Texans safety Justin Reid reiterated in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that the kneeling during the national anthem relates to police brutality more so than a protest against the United States.

“We’re not distracted from the issue we’re trying to pay attention to, which is police brutality,” Reid said. “It isn’t exclusive to only African Americans. It happens to all races: black, white, Hispanic, Asian. There’s just a tendency that it happens more to African-Americans. This is a real thing; it’s just been taboo. It’s finally being talked about. People are speaking up, and I think that’s huge. I think the next step for us is turning that raw energy into action, into changes of the structure of society, the structure of the police and their behavior, their accountability.”

Texans coach and general manager said he would be all for kneeling with players. If Watt is one of those players, it adds even more unity to the cause.

Sound off: Will the 2020 NFL season begin on time?

Poll: Do you feel the 2020 NFL season will begin as scheduled?

There is much uncertainty about where it all goes from here, the COVID-19 pandemic appears far from over. While it feels like the collective sports world is inching closer to reopening at varying stages this summer, one has to question whether the NFL will indeed be able to begin the season as planned on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Early indications suggest there could be games without fans, but it would at least allow the contests to be played. We’re hearing reports of a reduced preseason slate, as well, and there remains a hint of doubt surrounding training camps.

Where we currently sit, armed with the ever-changing knowledge we possess, do you feel the 2020 NFL season will begin as scheduled?

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NFL.com predicts Texans go 6-10, finish 3rd in AFC South

The Houston Texans are projected to finish third in the AFC South and miss the playoffs with a 6-10 record, according to NFL.com.

It’s the middle of June. There’s been a pandemic that has obliterated all offseason workouts. What a perfect time to make predictions about the 2020 NFL season.

Adam Rank from NFL.com released his prediction videos for all 32 NFL teams, and the commentator didn’t have an optimistic outlook for the Houston Texans as they seek to repeat as division champions for the third straight year. Instead of matching a feat not seen since the Indianapolis Colts won five straight AFC South titles from 2003-07, the Texans go 6-10 and finish third in the division.

“A lot of question marks with this Houston team,” Rank said after making his prediction. “They’ve been very good for a long time. You just don’t trade DeAndre Hopkins and try to replace him with Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb. What are you doing, Houston? You should have kept one of the best receivers in the game. I think that’s going to affect you negatively this season.”

The Texans post a 1-3 mark in the first quarter of the season with their lone win coming in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings at NRG Stadium. A 1-3 record after the first quarter is the most realistic part of Rank’s predictions as Houston does have a tough slate right out of the gate at Kansas City, at home against the Ravens, and on the road at Pittsburgh.

In the second quarter of the year, the Texans go 2-2 with wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers. However, they drop their initial encounter with the Tennessee Titans and drop their rematch with the Jaguars.

With a trip to Cleveland, hosting the New England Patriots, spending Thanksgiving in Detroit, and then opening up the Indianapolis Colts series, Rank sees Houston going 1-3 in the third quarter of 2020.

To finish out the season, the Texans beat the Bears, lose to the Colts, beat the Bengals, and then get swept by the Titans.

If the Texans go 6-10, the only explanation could be that quarterback Deshaun Watson was injured for a portion of the year. With Watson under center for a full season, Houston has posted double-digit wins and have gone 4-2 in the division. This record includes the Texans going 2-4 in the AFC South, an outcome that has never happened in the Bill O’Brien era, save for 2017 when they 1-5 because Watson tore his ACL on Nov. 2.

A 6-10 finish would be extremely disappointing to a Texans fan base that feels the window is open with Watson at quarterback. The question is whether or not this would be unacceptable enough for chairman and CEO Cal McNair to finally move on from the O’Brien Way.

Ranking the Philadelphia Eagles primetime games in 2020

Ranking the Philadelphia Eagles primetime games in 2020

The Eagles are one of the NFL’s most popular teams and it shows on a yearly basis with their primetime appearances.

For the 14th consecutive season, the Eagles will appear in primetime four or more times, with each contest being a high profile matchup.

The Eagles will face the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks in prime time. With all four contests having huge playoff implications, we rank the primetime matchups.

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Dec 29, 2019; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

4. Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 22 vs. New York Giants (8:20 PM, FOX/NFLN/Amazon, 94WIP)

In a game that features two of the NFL’s most heated rivals, the Eagles will battle the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football. Daniel Jones is ascending as a quarterback while Saquon Barkley will look to regain his place among the NFL’s best after an injury-plagued second season.

The game will provide the Eagles almost 11 days rest before another huge Sunday night matchup with the Cowboys the following week.

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