With the report the NFL is moving towards approving a 17th game in 2021 per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, this leads us to wonder who each team would play in that 17th game. Based on the formula that is being used, the Arizona Cardinals would have a ninth away game.
That game would feature the Cardinals traveling to face the Cleveland Browns. Talk about a game that could make or break a playoff trip.
Listen, I know a lot of fans hate the idea of a 17th game. Certainly a number of players have tweeted their displeasure at the fact.
Here’s a fact though, it’s a money maker for the NFL and a move the National Football League Players Association agreed to. Opponents of the move claim there is a safety issue at hand., however the NFLPA agreed to it because it will reduce preseason to two or three games.
People can dislike it all they want. It is going to happen. The only thing that would seem unfair is half the league will have to play a ninth away game but in 2021 all the AFC teams will be at home and the 17th game in 2022 will have all NFC teams at home. So at least the entire NFC West has to take the extra road trip this year.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said it best on Twitter though saying we all knew it was coming. Basically, save the outrage.
So, this leaves the Cardinals will one of the more difficult matchups of their 2021 schedule. The Cardinals hosted the Browns in 2019 and beat them rather handily 38-24.
However both teams have had changes since and this will be a much tougher task. The Browns were just a couple of plays away from going to the AFC Championship game in 2020.
So be it. The vote on the move this week and it is expected to pass. Bring on the Browns!