NFL schedule-maker admits Buccaneers drew short end of stick
By Cory Kinnan
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have such an ugly schedule, that more than the team and its fans are complaining as an NFL employee has expressed dissatisfaction.
On Wednesday night the NFL released the schedules for all 32 teams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, well, drew an unfavorable draw. Now the NFL’s senior director of broadcast planning and scheduling Mike North has publicly stated he wishes he could have “another shot” at the Buccaneers schedule.
"“If we had to do-over, if we had a redo, I’d love to take another shot at that Tampa Bay schedule… I’m not sure that’s really fair to their fans. I’m hopeful that we didn’t do something to the Buccaneers that they feel like is really unfair. (Mike North via CBS Sports)"
In 2019, the Buccaneers will play only one primetime game on Thursday night in week two against division rival Carolina Panthers, then have their second meeting with them, at home, stolen as the foes will face off in London in week six. However the biggest travesty on the Tampa Bay schedule is being on the road for six straight weeks before returning to Raymond James Stadium.
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After week three at home against the Giants, the Buccaneers will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. In week four they meet in New Orleans to clash for a division game against the Saints before departing for London, a “home” game leading into their bye week.
After returning from the bye week, the Buccaneers will travel to Nashville, then out west to Seattle before finally playing another home game. Seven weeks total rest between games at Raymond James Stadium for the Buccaneers.
"“Not only is that bad for the team, but it’s also bad for the fans, who will have to go seven straight weeks without seeing their team play at home. The Bucs play in Tampa in week 3 and then don’t return to Raymond James Stadium until week 10” (John Breech via CBS Sports)."
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The interview with the NFL’s North as he stated he feels so bad about the schedule that Tampa Bay was handed down, he will be will be rooting for the Buccaneers, maybe to save his own job. We will be rooting for the Buccaneers as well, as they have the deck stacked against them in a make-or-break 2019 season.