With the NFL set to unveil its schedule at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, it will be interesting to find out who the Bills will face in Week 1. We already know their opponents for the season, but we’ll find out the specific dates and times for each game on Thursday.
Bills Won’t be Getting a Sunday Night Game in Week 1, Which Could Push New Stadium Opening Back
The Bills kicked off their season last year at home against the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football,” but this season, that won’t be the case. There’s also a strong possibility they won’t have a prime-time game in Week 1 this fall.
There have been several schedule leaks before the official announcement on Thursday, including the prime-time games for Week 1.
The NFL will kick off this season with a Wednesday night game instead of the usual Thursday night matchup. This opening game will feature the Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, although their opponent has yet to be confirmed. However, it won’t be the Bills, as they aren’t scheduled to face the Seahawks.
There will be another primetime game before the Sunday slate of Week 1, taking place on Thursday night in Australia. This matchup will feature the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bills won’t have games on Wednesday or Thursday nights, leaving only Sunday and Monday available. However, Sunday won’t work either, as the NFL has announced that the Dallas Cowboys will face the New York Giants on “Sunday Night Football”.
Buffalo Could Still Get a Monday Night Game
Monday night would be the only time the Bills could have a prime-time game in Week 1. While it’s not the end of the world that Buffalo isn’t featured in a prime-time slot to kick off the season, it did seem likely that the NFL might give them a night game, especially with all the fresh developments around the team, including their move to a new stadium.
The Bills are set to move into their new stadium this fall, which will be an open-air venue rather than a dome. Given that the Bills are recognized as one of the top fan bases in football and have one of the best teams and quarterbacks in the NFL, it seems fitting that they would kick off their new season in prime time during Week 1, though it would now have to be on Monday night.
Buffalo recently made a significant change by parting ways with head coach Sean McDermott and appointing Joe Brady as the new head coach. It would be wise for the NFL to put the Bills on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1 at home so Buffalo can showcase its new stadium and new head coach.
If the Bills don’t have the Monday night game, there’s a good chance they’ll kick off the season on the road in Week 1. It doesn’t seem likely that the NFL will schedule the Bills’ home opener at their new stadium for an afternoon game.
Buffalo might kick off its new stadium in prime time in Week 2, which could disappoint fans who have to wait an extra week.
Bills May Have Bad News Regarding Debut of Their New Stadium This Season