COVID concerns forces NFL to reschedule Buccaneers-Raiders, Seahawks-Cardinals games
The Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been moved out of Sunday Night Football and are being replaced by the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
The Las Vegas Raiders had to send home their entire starting offensive line this week after Trent Brown was placed on the COVID-19 list. That was bad news ahead of what was supposed to be a Sunday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The game is still on, as of right now, but will no longer be played Sunday night. That primetime slot will now be filled by the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
The following schedule changes have been made for Week 7: pic.twitter.com/arQi7dz2Em
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2020
Raiders and Buccaneers still plan to play
There is still a chance the Raiders and Bucs get the game moved to another day. This move ensures NBC doesn’t miss out on a lucrative Sunday night contest.
With the Raiders offensive line quarantined, this schedule change ensures that there will be a game for Sunday Night Football. Now Bucs and Raiders always can be pushed back, though that is not in the NFL’s plans at this time. https://t.co/2LE5IV2kM7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2020
The matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals is quite the replacement. Fans will get Russell Wilson taking on Kyler Murray as the Seahawks look to remain undefeated. It is also the second straight primetime game for the Cardinals after dismantling the Dallas Cowboys this past Monday.
The Raiders are coming off a bye week and will now have the entire offensive line practicing remotely until they are cleared. That is not ideal considering the Buccaneers just beat the Green Bay Packers by a final score of 38-10.
Fans have already seen Monday afternoon and Tuesday night games so far this year. Moving the game back a day or two would not be the worst idea if the Raiders end up being without the starting linemen.
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This game will be something to keep an eye on and hopefully it goes off as scheduled without the Raiders being at a disadvantage. Moving it out of the Sunday night slot was a proactive move by the NFL and this may not be the first time this happens this season due to COVID-19 reasons.