Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Despite the National Football League’s recent outbreak in Covid-19, the league continues to plan to host playoffs in the market for the remainder of its season and playoffs.
The NFL is firmly on its schedule to play their schedule for 256 games in 17 weeks, ending the year with Super Bowl LV on February 7th. But the league could switch to training camp-like models to make it work
According to people with knowledge of the situation, the NFL has recognized that there have been few Covid-19 cases in training camps and plans to bring this model back by January when the postseason is due to start when the number of team cases increases.
The individuals spoke to CNBC on condition of anonymity as conversations are ongoing.
NFL officials have publicly stated that the league is against playing in bubble environments, with mental health being a major concern. Under this model, playoff clubs would stay in the market but would stay in hotels for the entire week leading up to playoff games.
The league’s website, NFL.com, reported on the early talks on the installation of the “local bubbles” on Sunday.
People said that keeping clubs in hotels would allow the NFL to better monitor teams while keeping players and staff close to families. One of the people pointed to that August 12th to 20th Review when the NFL did not report positive cases among players to aid in installing the model.
The NFL is against getting into bubble environments emulating the National Basketball Association in avoiding potential setbacks when local health and first aid resources are needed to support football lists.
Tom Brady (12) of the Buccaneers throws a pass during the regular season game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 29, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
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And more government officials should ban sporting events, similar to Santa Clara County’s decisionwhich caused the San Francisco 49ers to postpone games, the NFL would have empty “Tier 1” stadiums from non-playoff teams to reschedule games.
Those team stadiums include the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys in case the teams miss the playoffs.
Week 12 of the NFL is officially over after today’s Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Baltimore Ravens. The game was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving but has been postponed three times following the Ravens’ recent Covid-19 outbreak. The club revealed over 20 positive cases, the largest outbreak since the Tennessee Titans outbreak in Week 4.
The NFL released its latest Covid-19 test results on Wednesday and reported 86 new cases (33 players) between Nov. 22-28. Since the NFL testing began, 156 players and 270 other staff have tested positive for Covid-19.