AsylumGuido

Report: Saints could end up playing Saturday games in 2020 season

What if college football doesn’t get played in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus? That’s one question the NFL schedule-makers are pondering, and they might have an idea of how such a big change could shake up the pro game.

According to a report from Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the NFL is considering whether it could move some of its games to Saturdays, typically reserved for college kickoffs. The Post report suggests as many as three games could be played on each Saturday, though obviously a lot needs to change between now and then.

As pointed out by the Post, the NFL is allowed a more flexible schedule than the NCAA because of it doesn’t have to worry about its players living and working on possibly-closed college campuses. It’s an advantage the league is prepared to exploit should the upcoming college football season be cancelled, which is no sure thing just yet.

But it is worth keeping an eye on. The NFL typically plays a few Saturday games each year in the closing weeks of the regular season, and during the playoffs. So the infrastructure is already in place should those time slots open up. However, the long-term implications of a year without college football are unclear — particularly in view of the 2021 NFL Draft, scheduled to open up in downtown Cleveland.

Don’t expect any concrete answers when the NFL releases its schedule ahead of its May 9 deadline. With the exception of prime-time games on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday night, just about every contest on its 2020 slate of games should be considered flex-ready to a Saturday time slot.

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

AsylumGuido

I'm not much of a college football fan so I would be excited to have Saturday games.

ChrisXVI

That would be awesome honestly.

The Dude

What a novel idea.

stickman

Let me say first, I love college football and hope it still happens.

However, if there is no college football this season, this makes too much sense.

ScottF

Makes perfect sense, but obviously it will water down the prime time and Sunday marquee game of the week.

Maybe schedule dud teams on Saturdays to increase exposure?

Rugby Saint II

That would give me something to look forward to on Saturdays since rugby has been cancelled at all levels. Occasionally I'll get to watch Alabama at the bar after the rugby match. That's great but watching a Saints game would be even better!

AsylumGuido

It did say prime time would not be flexed to Saturdays. It will most likely be those secondary market teams like Jax, Carolina, etc. that will end up on Saturday.

K Major

NFL, NFLPA discussing possibility of shortened preseason


https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-nflpa-d...ened-preseason

saintsfan1976

Saturday games? Sure. But only after the team plays a Thursday night game. Then it’s more like an actual NFL Schedule.