The Tennessee Titans have already had one game postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, and it’s possible that could happen again this week, when they’re scheduled to host the Buffalo Bills. Whether or not the game could still be played in Week 5 is still unknown.
When the Week 4 game between the Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed, it was moved to Week 7, with the Steelers’ matchup against the Baltimore Ravens moving back one week to Week 8. It was a fairly easy fix, but there’s a chance not all future postponements will be that simple.
That’s why the NFL may be considering a change to its playoff scenario, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Schefter said the league is considering basing which teams make the playoffs on win percentage, even if a team doesn’t play a full 16-game schedule due to postponements.
“If the Tennessee Titans go 10-3 this year, if their win percentage is better, they go to the playoffs,” Schefter said on the show. “Again, it’s not an ideal scenario, but we’re not living in an ideal time.”
The NFL wouldn’t be the first sport to alter rules to complete a pandemic-affected season. MLB used seven-inning doubleheaders to make up games during its shortened 60-game regular season after several teams had COVID-19 outbreaks.
As of now, the Titans are the only NFL team to have an outbreak that caused a game to be pushed back more than a day. In Week 4, the New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs matchup was postponed, but it moved only one day from Sunday to Monday.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
