New England Patriots Schedule 2020: Broncos, 49ers, Bills Upcoming Amid COVID Concerns
The New England Patriots already had one disruption to their schedule, and the reigning AFC East champs are hoping to avoid another change in Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season.
New England is set to host the Denver Broncos at 4:25 p.m. EDT Sunday. That might no longer be the case if any more players test positive for the coronavirus. It was announced Wednesday morning that Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive for the coronavirus, and the team canceled practice.
New England’s facility is closed until Friday.
Cam Newton was ruled out of New England’s Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday when he tested positive for the coronavirus. The game was moved from Sunday to Monday night. The Patriots arrived in Kansas City just hours before kickoff.
It’s unknown when New England’s Week 5 matchup might be made up if it's postponed. The Patriots have a bye in Week 6. The Broncos play the Miami Dolphins next week.
New England hosts the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. The Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 and the New York Jets in Week 9.
Source: The Titans have one new positive, and the second positive from yesterday has now been confirmed. The facility remains closed.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 8, 2020
The Patriots tests came back clean.
No Patriots players will speak today.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) October 8, 2020
Friday's schedule still up in the air - could return to facility for practice or work remotely again. Likely depends on how tests come back from today.
Without Newton, the Patriots were defeated by the Chiefs in Week 4, falling to 2-2 on the season. New England has sole possession of second place in the AFC East, trailing the undefeated Buffalo Bills by two games.
Buffalo’s schedule is likely to be affected by a coronavirus outbreak within the Tennessee Titans’ organization. The Bills’ scheduled visit to Tennessee Sunday could be moved to Monday or Tuesday, depending on if Titans’ players continue to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
The 12th Titans’ player tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday morning. Tennessee’s Week 4 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed and moved to Week 7.
The Bills are looking to snap the Patriots’ streak of 11 straight division titles. New England has won the AFC East in 16 of the last 17 years.
New England is 1-0 in the division with a victory over Miami in the season opener. The Patriots lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 and defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.
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