NFL is trying its hardest to not force the Titans to forfeit game against Bills

The Titans and Bills might plan on Monday or Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans had two more confirmed positive tests today, meaning that their COVID-19 outbreak has reached 23 confirmed cases in the organization, undoubtedly aided by the workout the team held while the practice facility was closed. With a game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday looking less likely, the league might once again shift their schedule around to accommodate Tennessee.

ESPN’s Dianna Russini confirmed that the most likely option for Tennessee-Buffalo is being postponed to Monday or Tuesday. Because Buffalo has to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in the following week, that came could be moved to Sunday to give Buffalo adequate practice time.

Making the Titans forfeit is looking unlikely due to the NFL’s rules

The 3-0 Titans, who had their postponed game against the Pittsburgh Steelers moved to Week 7, were supposed to take on Josh Allen and the 4-0 Bills this week, but the outbreak is not under control in Tennessee despite a stretch of two consecutive days without a positive case. While calls forcing a Titans forfeit due to their negligence have grown louder, that doesn’t seem practically possible at this point in time.

Under the current NFL rules, a forfeit would mean that neither team receives their game checks. While it would give the Bills a free win and move them to 5-0, the league might find it difficult to get Buffalo to agree to such a provision.

Creating a “Week 18” where postponed games can be made up makes all the sense in the world, but some around the league are saying that is unlikely right now because there is only one team that has a serious outbreak on their hands.

Unless the league implements this Week 18, or circumvents their own legislation to get Buffalo their game checks, they will keep having to rearrange the deck chairs to accommodate the Titans.