corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) My favorite time of the year in the NFL has come in the offseason. Every year I predict the Bills schedule in terms of games, times, weeks, primetime etc.. I look at past seasons including the last time we played that NFC division as the NFL does base some TV decisions on what they did before to be fair to teams and TV partners. Next week on the 12th at 8:00 pm the NFL will be releasing the schedule and with fans back in full this year I know this is going to be the most anticipated season in really long time. In regards to the schedule itself things should swing back to normal with how it is created. WGR's Sal C had a great interview with Mike North who is the VP of Schedule making in the NFL. Last season the NFL tweaked things where every team opened home or away with division opponents the first two weeks due to COVID incase things needed to be changed. The overall schedule itself was created with the ability to move entire weeks etc.. so it was not a normal year minus the division games finishing the season. Some highlights from the interview on how the schedule is created of interest to Bills fans are the following: -Opening Night already draws a huge audience so going with a blueblood matchup like BUF-TB isn't necessarily the best move because you can save it for a week later in the season for a bigger audience then opening night as it already is higher in viewership -Networks are all fighting for the big games like KC-BUF, KC-GB, NE-KC, so they absolutely are put in prime spots, but where those spots are can vary so the NFL is fair to its TV partners -Sometimes matchups like NE-TB which already have a story are put earlier in the season as opposed to later when NE possibly could be out of it. That rings the same with NE-BUF where he said an early matchup could be on primetime where their is still intrigue -On the flip side division games ending the season is the way to go and the NFL isn't moving away from that. He brought up the idea of NE coming to BUF or vise versa for a division show down to end the season on primetime -The Bills have turned into a tent show that people want to see. People may like the 1:00 pm games out of convenience but now that the Bills are a draw get ready for a similar amount of attention this year with night games and prime spots -There will be 17 games and the Bills will host Washington as the matchup is a Conference Cross Over based off where you finished in your division OK with all of that said lets get to my schedule I made. For those wondering last year I got one week perfect (SF), two opponents correct (SF/MIA week2), quite few games a week off (Seattle week 8 I had week 7 for insistence), and in general was much closer then some years. Here is my prediction for 2021-22: Opponent Time Week 1 IND 1:00 pm Week 2 at NE Sunday Night Football Week 3 ATL 1:00 pm Week 4 PIT Monday Night Football Week 5 at JAX 1:00 pm Week 6 NYJ Thursday Night Football Week 7 BYE Week 8 at TB Monday Night Football Week 9 MIA 1:00 pm Week 10 at NYJ 1:00 pm Week 11 CAR 1:00 pm Week 12 at NOLA 4:25 pm Week 13 at KC Sunday Night Football Week 14 WSH 1:00 pm Week 15 HOU 1:00 pm Week 16 at TEN Saturday Flex in Game 1 of 3 Week 17 at MIA 1:00 pm Week 18 NE Potential to be SNF flex in game for division I do think the Bills are in the conversation for opening night, but like Mike said I believe its a game the NFL saves for higher viewership later on. Additionally I think one of the Bears (drafting Fields) or Dallas (going to TB) will be the the opener as they both are strong markets. I think the NFL finally gives the Bills Chiefs the SNF viewing platform people have wanted. Buffalo has routinely done well in the Saturday flex window spot late in season and I see that happening again. The NE home game week 18 I can really see being viewed by TV partners as a battle of the division crown potentially and make it so it can be the closing SNF. I do not think that happens as I think the Bills are a game or two better then NE, but TV partners will view it otherwise. Technically the Bills are opening at home for a second straight year, but when you become a better team the NFL gives more wiggle room. The Bills have preferred 1:00 pm games as a franchise and this still maintains six of the nine games being at 1:00 pm with the NE finale the only when that could flex. I have typed enough let me know what you think: Edited May 5, 2021 by corta765 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I think the league has a rule where a team can be on primetime 5 times max. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 4 minutes ago, Greg S said: I think the league has a rule where a team can be on primetime 5 times max. I haven’t been able to find that in writing but I know they try to keep it around that. But with a 17th game that’s probably going to change a little. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 5 minutes ago, corta765 said: I haven’t been able to find that in writing but I know they try to keep it around that. But with a 17th game that’s probably going to change a little. The following quote is from an article talking about primetime games from last season. Besides Tampa Bay, the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers are all maxed out with five primetime games. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 minute ago, Greg S said: The following quote is from an article talking about primetime games from last season. Besides Tampa Bay, the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers are all maxed out with five primetime games. I'd probably switch the first NE to a 4:25 matchup then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Tim Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I am hoping that the Jax game is weekend before Thanksgiving, that we get KC early and Jets early in year. I don't have any predictions just desires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I used to always want night games. Now that I’m old I prefer 1 pm games. 8:30 is my bedtime 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 2 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: I used to always want night games. Now that I’m old I prefer 1 pm games. 8:30 is my bedtime I feel you with that. December was really fun last year, but the entire month was non normal games. If I could have like 1 primetime game a month where it is spaced out I'm cool with that. It became quite intensive with late games last year haha. 5 minutes ago, Buffalo Timmy said: I am hoping that the Jax game is weekend before Thanksgiving, that we get KC early and Jets early in year. I don't have any predictions just desires. So the last time we played JAX was in 2018 and it was the Weekend of Thanksgiving. Generally the NFL likes to move games around if they were early/late and flip it. I also think with the newness of Trevor the Jags could be sneaky TNF game early on for someone like Buffalo or another big AFC team where you can use the newness of T-Law and the hype of the other team before things get bad losing wise for Jax. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Round Bust Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 predicting season opener - NFL season opener - Thurs nite game at TB and TB followed by Sun road game at Jets - recent history says so then the home opener - Phins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BornAgainBillsFan Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 6 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: I used to always want night games. Now that I’m old I prefer 1 pm games. 8:30 is my bedtime Doesn't the 1:00pm game cut into the Early Bird specials? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 minute ago, BornAgainBillsFan said: Doesn't the 1:00pm game cut into the Early Bird specials? LOL Most Cracker Barrel’s open at 7 am. I can go get breakfast and squeeze in an episode of Matlock before kickoffs. They just don’t make quality programming like Matlock anymore 1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBBills Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 4 minutes ago, BornAgainBillsFan said: Doesn't the 1:00pm game cut into the Early Bird specials? LOL Sadly even on my days off I am up at 5am the latest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 38 minutes ago, Greg S said: I think the league has a rule where a team can be on primetime 5 times max. I don't believe the Thursday night games are considered prime time though. Infact I believe they try to have every play one Thursday night game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 minute ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said: I don't believe the Thursday night games are considered prime time though. Infact I believe they try to have every play one Thursday night game. It is a grey area kind of the way the Saturday December games are. The bigger thing I have seen is the NFL does try to keep a teams games to have at least half at 1:00 pm. Players and coaches prefer routine and 1:00 pm is the favorite by them, but the NFL does a lot for it TV Partners which I expect will only keep growing over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 22 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: Most Cracker Barrel’s open at 7 am. I can go get breakfast and squeeze in an episode of Matlock before kickoffs. They just don’t make quality programming like Matlock anymore You're busy at 6pm for SURE. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 2 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said: You're busy at 6pm for SURE. If we play sunday night then I have to nap during 60 minutes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 hour ago, corta765 said: It is a grey area kind of the way the Saturday December games are. The bigger thing I have seen is the NFL does try to keep a teams games to have at least half at 1:00 pm. Players and coaches prefer routine and 1:00 pm is the favorite by them, but the NFL does a lot for it TV Partners which I expect will only keep growing over the years. Also west coast teams tend to also end up with more 4:25 games just because that's a normal 1:00 start for them. Kind of funny last year I expected the Bills to have more 4:25 starts with all the west coast games, but the San Fran ended up being a Monday night, and Arizona game ended up a week where Fox had doubleheader game. Bills/Raiders game was the secondary game, but ended up getting bumped to main game due to Covid cancellation of other game. This year no scheduled late starts due to time zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I couldn't decide if I should try and predict the Bills schedule(knowing that the actual schedule will be released a week from today), or should I stare at the wall for a couple of hours? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 15 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said: Also west coast teams tend to also end up with more 4:25 games just because that's a normal 1:00 start for them. Kind of funny last year I expected the Bills to have more 4:25 starts with all the west coast games, but the San Fran ended up being a Monday night, and Arizona game ended up a week where Fox had doubleheader game. Bills/Raiders game was the secondary game, but ended up getting bumped to main game due to Covid cancellation of other game. This year no scheduled late starts due to time zone. I know we will get our share of primetime games probably 4 or 5, and I like the fact the Bills having been getting national attention, but 1:00 starts are still my favorite time for the Bills to play. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nato7412 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 9 minutes ago, BTB said: I couldn't decide if I should try and predict the Bills schedule(knowing that the actual schedule will be released a week from today), or should I stare at the wall for a couple of hours? Predict it! I love reading schedule predictions, they get me excited for the season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwai San Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 16 minutes ago, BTB said: I couldn't decide if I should try and predict the Bills schedule(knowing that the actual schedule will be released a week from today), or should I stare at the wall for a couple of hours? Tear out the walls don't stare at the walls!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Brennan Huff said: I used to always want night games. Now that I’m old I prefer 1 pm games. 8:30 is my bedtime That's my son's bedtime and he's 6. You must not be Cobra Kai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chongli Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Greg S said: The following quote is from an article talking about primetime games from last season. Besides Tampa Bay, the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers are all maxed out with five primetime games. It is now 7: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 28 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: That's my son's bedtime and he's 6. You must not be Cobra Kai. He probably has at least 3x the energy that I have. I’m 39 but I identify as a 65 year old 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 54 minutes ago, BTB said: I couldn't decide if I should try and predict the Bills schedule(knowing that the actual schedule will be released a week from today), or should I stare at the wall for a couple of hours? Honestly why do people like you even comment? No one is asking you to read what I wrote, many of us enjoy this its fun while not life changing or important. I could really care less about the draft or analyzing prospects but others like it and I don't rain on their parade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo03 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Greg S said: I think the league has a rule where a team can be on primetime 5 times max. This is true. I actually read it somewhere 3 hours ago, Brennan Huff said: I used to always want night games. Now that I’m old I prefer 1 pm games. 8:30 is my bedtime It's amazing that people would complain about staying up later a few nights a year to watch the Bills on primetime. Especially after not doing it at all really for like 15 years prior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Don't they usually alternate home/away the first week of the season? Week 1 - @Jax 1:00 Week 2 - Jets 1:00 Week 3 - Pats - MNF Week 4 - @Saints - 1:00 Week 5 - Pitt - 1:00 Week 6 - @TB - 4:25 Week 7 - Fins - 1:00 Week 8 - @Jets - TNF Week 9 - ATL - 1:00 Week 10 - Bye Week 11 - @KC - SNF Week 12 - CAR - 1:00 Week 13 - @Fins - 4:25 Week 14 - WFT - 1:00 Week 15 - Colts - Flexed to Saturday Week 16 - @Titans 1:00 Week 17 - @Pats 4:15 (could be flexed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 18 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said: This is true. I actually read it somewhere It's amazing that people would complain about staying up later a few nights a year to watch the Bills on primetime. Especially after not doing it at all really for like 15 years prior Where in my post did you see me complaining? I still party like a rock star. But it’s a lot harder to recover the next day when you’re drinking til midnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 34 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: He probably has at least 3x the energy that I have. I’m 39 but I identify as a 65 year old That's because I give him Jolt Cola. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSEFEFFER Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 21 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: Don't they usually alternate home/away the first week of the season? Week 1 - @Jax 1:00 Week 2 - Jets 1:00 Week 3 - Pats - MNF Week 4 - @Saints - 1:00 Week 5 - Pitt - 1:00 Week 6 - @TB - 4:25 Week 7 - Fins - 1:00 Week 8 - @Jets - TNF Week 9 - ATL - 1:00 Week 10 - Bye Week 11 - @KC - SNF Week 12 - CAR - 1:00 Week 13 - @Fins - 4:25 Week 14 - WFT - 1:00 Week 15 - Colts - Flexed to Saturday Week 16 - @Titans 1:00 Week 17 - @Pats 4:15 (could be flexed) The Bills opened 2019 with two wins in NJ. The Jets and Giants won only two combined home games through October. That was a fun start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 One thing I am sure of is when the Bills have their home opener they will be wearing their all whites which will piss of the Bills should always wear blue over white at home crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted May 5, 2021 Author Share Posted May 5, 2021 37 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: Don't they usually alternate home/away the first week of the season? Week 1 - @Jax 1:00 Week 2 - Jets 1:00 Week 3 - Pats - MNF Week 4 - @Saints - 1:00 Week 5 - Pitt - 1:00 Week 6 - @TB - 4:25 Week 7 - Fins - 1:00 Week 8 - @Jets - TNF Week 9 - ATL - 1:00 Week 10 - Bye Week 11 - @KC - SNF Week 12 - CAR - 1:00 Week 13 - @Fins - 4:25 Week 14 - WFT - 1:00 Week 15 - Colts - Flexed to Saturday Week 16 - @Titans 1:00 Week 17 - @Pats 4:15 (could be flexed) Not necessarily. Last year they did per Mike North because if they had to start the season late they could just move the first two weeks to the end. But the Bills opened on the road two straight weeks in 2019, NYJ and NYG. On the flip side they opened two in a row in 2015 Colts and Pats. It doesn't sound like this year the NFL is anticipating major COVID issues where the schedule would be more flexible for that. 2 minutes ago, Greg S said: One thing I am sure of is when the Bills have their home opener they will be wearing their all whites which will piss of the Bills should always wear blue over white at home crowd. I love their all white unis whether it is the AFL ones or normal. They wear blue on the road now more and the bad juju of white at home is gone these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 37 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: That's because I give him Jolt Cola. Milk is for girls 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 3 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said: Milk is for girls Girls produce milk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 8 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: That's because I give him Jolt Cola. the creator of jolt cola was a memeber at a club i worked at in high school. the guy dropped off jolt by the cases for us. i consider it my gateway drug to cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Just now, teef said: the creator of jolt cola was a memeber at a club i worked at in high school. the guy dropped off jolt by the cases for us. i consider it my gateway drug to cocaine. I really wish you had told a better story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teef Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said: I really wish you had told a better story. i wish you had given me a better lead in. this team is only as strong as its weakest link. you're the rusty link bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg S Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 9 minutes ago, corta765 said: Not necessarily. Last year they did per Mike North because if they had to start the season late they could just move the first two weeks to the end. But the Bills opened on the road two straight weeks in 2019, NYJ and NYG. On the flip side they opened two in a row in 2015 Colts and Pats. It doesn't sound like this year the NFL is anticipating major COVID issues where the schedule would be more flexible for that. I love their all white unis whether it is the AFL ones or normal. They wear blue on the road now more and the bad juju of white at home is gone these days. Same here love the all whites both current and throwback. I wish they would lose the all blues and reds and replace them with the blue over white throwbacks. If it were up to me I would have for the 8 home games 2 each of all whites current and throwback and blue over white current and throwback. I don't know if the league would allow the home and road throwbacks in the same season but if they did that is what I would do. Playoff home games should always be blue over white. Preseason go with the all whites. Speaking of the blue over white throwbacks I wonder why the Bills won't bring that back. That looks just as nice as the all white throwbacks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 1 minute ago, teef said: i wish you had given me a better lead in. this team is only as strong as its weakest link. you're the rusty link bro. Who was the best Rusty in the Vacation series? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: Girls produce milk. It’s the circle of life 8 minutes ago, teef said: the creator of jolt cola was a memeber at a club i worked at in high school. the guy dropped off jolt by the cases for us. i consider it my gateway drug to cocaine. Edited May 5, 2021 by Brennan Huff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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