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Despite the uncertainty that surrounds the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL released its schedule on Thursday night. Commissioner Roger Goodell expects the season to start on time, but he acknowledged that the league was “prepared to make adjustments” should circumstances change.
The 2020 NFL season could be the last to feature a 16-game schedule, as the new collective bargaining agreement allows for up to 17 games. While this change is still in the works, fans can expect to see seven playoff teams from each conference this year, an increase over the previous six. The NFL implemented this measure by adding an additional Wild Card team from each conference.
So what should you expect from next year’s schedule, and how does the NFL scheduling process work? Here are a few key things to know as the NFL heads into the 2020 season.
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How does scheduling work?
In the NFL, each team knows their opponents before the schedule gets released. Teams will play six divisional games, of course, but then it gets more complicated. They play four games against teams from an intraconference division on a rotating four-year cycle. They also play four games against teams from an interconference division on a three-year cycle. Lastly, they’ll play two intraconference games against the teams that finished in the same position divisionally as they did the year before.
It all adds up to 16 games.
What are some highlights from the 2020 schedule?
Here’s what you need to know about the 2020 NFL schedule:
- The NFL won’t play any international games this season. Sorry, London and Mexico City.
- The season opener features the Houston Texans at the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Eight teams will play five prime-time games: BAL, DAL, GB, LAR, NE, KC, SF, TB.
- Seven teams will play four prime-time games: BUF, CHI, LV, NO, PHI, PIT, SEA.
- Thanksgiving Day games (Week 12): HOU at DET, WAS at DAL, BAL at PIT.
- Christmas Day game (Week 16): MIN at NO.
- Teams with the earliest possible bye (Week 5): DET, GB.
- Teams with the latest possible bye (Week 13): CAR, TB.
- Weeks with the most teams (6) on bye: Week 8, Week 11.
- No teams will have a bye on Week 12.
What are some of the big matchups?
The 2020 schedule is loaded with high-impact games. Here are just a few that will have compelling storylines:
- Week 1: TB at NO (Brady vs. Brees)
- Week 2: NO at LV (Raiders’ debut in Allegiant Stadium)
- Week 3: KC at BAL (2018 MVP vs. 2019 MVP)
- Week 4: NE at KC (Belichick vs. Reid)
- Week 5: NYG at DAL (Jason Garrett returns to Dallas)
- Week 6: GB at TB (Rodgers vs. Brady)
- Week 7: LAC at MIA (Potentially, Herbert vs. Tagovailoa)
- Week 8: NE at BUF (Race for the AFC East)
- Week 9: SF at GB (2019 NFC Championship rematch)
- Week 10: SF at NO (Race for the top seed in the NFC)
- Week 11: TEN at BAL (2019 AFC Divisional Round rematch)
- Week 12: BAL at PIT (Thanksgiving night game)
- Week 13: CIN at MIA (Potentially, Burrow vs. Tagovailoa)
- Week 14: DAL at CIN (Dalton returns to Cincinnati)
- Week 15: SF at DAL (Race for the top seed in the NFC)
- Week 16: CAR at WAS (Ron Rivera faces the Panthers)
- Week 17: ATL at TB (Battle for Wildcard positioning)
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Isaiah Sirois is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Isaiah, check out his archive and follow him @is_sirois.