Early on Sunday morning the NFL shut down the New England Patriots facility for the third time in just 10 days after one new positive test for COVID-19 came back positive. This was the fourth positive test for the Patriots over the last eight days.
New England was set to play against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, in an already rescheduled contest, but the positive test to defensive tackle Byron Cowart made the NFL reschedule the game for next week in the league’s week six. Additionally, quarterback Cam Newton, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive lineman Bill Murray also contracted the coronavirus.
Dolphins Get a Quarter of their Schedule Changed
Following the postponement of that game, the NFL quickly released a list of the multiple changes to the schedules of eight different teams, one of them being the Miami Dolphins.
Miami was supposed to play Denver in Colorado in week six, but that game has now been pushed to the Dolphins’ original bye week in week 11. Additionally, their bye week is now week seven, pushing their matchup at home against the Los Angeles Chargers to week 10.
“We don’t normally meet in the morning of game day. We normally just hop on the bus, but I called a meeting and to talk to them about the schedule changes so there was some clarity for them on what was going on over the next few weeks,” Miami head coach Brian Flores said. “I told them what the schedule would be and that’s that. I answered all their questions and then told them to focus on the 49ers, I think they did a really good job of that.”
Specifics for All Changes
Below are the specifics of the quarter of Miami’s games that had to be shuffled around:
-The New York Jets at Miami Dolphins game moves from Week 10 to Week 6 on Sunday, October 18 at 4:05 p.m. ET.
-The Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins game moves from Week 7 to Week 10 on Sunday, November 15 at 4:05 ET.
-The Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos game moves from Week 6 to Week 11 on Sunday, November 22 at 4:05 ET.
-The Miami Dolphins’ bye week will be moved up from Week 11 to Week 7.
“We weren’t too distracted (with) the games going on, the games changing, the dates and who we are playing. We were just worried about the 49ers,” linebacker Jerome Baker said.
No NFL History to be Made
Miami will now have to prepare to play against the struggling 0-5 New York Jets. The Dolphins were supposed to play the Jets in weeks 10 and 12 with their bye week inbetween, marking the first time in NFL history where a team would play an opponent in back-to-back games.
– Garrison Pulley is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @gcooperpulley Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
