Ok, we are now ready for football as the NFL released the 2020 schedule Thursday night. Will the season go on as planned this fall? Come on, I have no idea right now.
But let’s be optimistic and just assume the best case scenario happens and that the season starts on Sept. 10th in Kansas City. Then just like that we’re watching football again, sports are back, and life is a much more enjoyable.
With that, let’s take a look at five of the biggest trap games that teams – including Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers – could face when the 2020 season is under way.
Week 2: Chiefs at Chargers
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs kick off their title defense with the Thursday night opener in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. I’m guessing they roll in that one as the Texans are a shell of themselves after a rough offseason. Then in Week 3 the Chiefs face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on the road in Baltimore. That one is going to be HUGE. Between those two games is this road trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, who will be playing their first game in their new stadium. This could be an easy one for the Chiefs to overlook, but I still expect their talent to carry them.
Week 4: Chargers vs. Buccaneers
Tom Brady is in the NFC now and after some tough early games this home game in Week 4 looks like it should be a breeze for Tampa. With games against the Bears and Packers in Weeks 5 and 6, this could be one where the new-look Bucs start thinking ahead and get beat by a young team that has weapons and will be hungry.
Week 6: Packers at Texans
Aaron Rodgers and Co. face Tom Brady and the Bucs in Week 5, then they have the Viking in Week 7 and the 49ers in Week 8 (on TNF), so a trip to Houston could be one of those that they take lightly and get beat. That wouldn’t be good during a key stretch early in the season.
Week 9: Ravens at Colts
The Ravens play the rival Steelers in Week 7, then have a bye before facing the Colts. After their trip to Indy they face the Patriots/Titans/Steelers/Cowboys so they can’t afford to take the Colts likely in Week 9.
Week 14: Cowboys at Bengals
Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys need to take care of business down the stretch of the season when they play the 49ers, Eagles and Giants to close things out. Before those matchups is a trip to Cincinnati in Week 14, which should be a win but maybe Joe Burrow is the man by then and things could get tough for the Cowboys, who play at Baltimore in Week 13.
