Many North American sports remain in a holding pattern due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the NFL released its schedule for the 2020 season on Thursday.
The campaign kicks off with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans on Sept. 10. Another notable Week 1 matchup features Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Drew Brees’ New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13.
First-overall draft pick Joe Burrow makes his NFL debut on home turf when the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens get things started against the rival Cleveland Browns. Jackson and Patrick Mahomes will square off in an exciting Week 3 tilt when the Ravens meet the Chiefs.
After moving from Oakland, the Las Vegas Raiders will play their first home game against the Saints on Sept. 21 in prime time.
The full schedule can be found here.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus, the NFL has developed some contingency plans should the season be impacted. Any week could serve as the first week of the season, with early games possibly being tacked onto the schedule after Week 17. Every team also shares the same bye week as its Week 2 opponent, allowing greater flexibility should games need to be made up. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 7, but could be pushed back.
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