When does the 2017 NFL schedule come out?
By John Buhler
With the 2017 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, we should anticipate the schedule to be released. When will we learn the official schedule?
Even with a slight downtick in ratings due to the 2016 Presidential Election, the NFL had a marvelous season last fall. Super Bowl LI was an instant classic with the New England Patriots winning their fifth Lombardi Trophy with the greatest comeback of all-time over the Atlanta Falcons in Houston.
Both Atlanta and New England should be in contention to reach Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis out of their respective conferences. However, we first need to know how difficult their upcoming 2017 NFL schedule will be.
On Thursday, April 20, NFL fans will know the order of all 16 games on their favorite team’s slate. No matter how bad your team might have been last year, they’ll be on at least one primetime game. Some teams will be playing in London, so that’s cool.
We have known for some time the 16 opponents all 32 teams will play. In the intra-conference rotation, the AFC East will play the AFC West, the AFC North will play the AFC South, the NFC East will play the NFC West and the NFC North will play the NFC South.
For the inter-conference rotation, the AFC East with play the NFC South, the AFC North will play the NFC North, the AFC South will play the NFC West and the AFC West will play the NFC East.
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Of course, each NFL team will play its three division rivals home and away for six games of their schedule. The two other games will be assigned via last season’s finish within a division for the sake of competitive balance. First place plays other first place teams in the conference, second place plays second plays and so on.