NFL’s schedule change screws Patriots out of full bye week

Rival NFL fans take the time to joke each and every year about how the league favors the New England Patriots — from refs helping out their cause to the schedule constantly benefitting them.

Everyone’s always looking for an angle to devalue this franchise’s success for the last two-plus decades.

But in 2021, with the odds already stacked against them for a multitude of reasons, the Pats are now losing out on the luxury of a full bye week during the inaugural 17-game season. And it’s all because of ratings and money.

Last week it was announced that the NFL would be moving New England’s Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts to Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Typically, that would hardly be a problem, but the Patriots’ Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills is on Monday night, which means their bye week (in Week 14) was already a day shorter.

Now, it’ll be two days shorter because the league wants to put a game with serious playoff implications in primetime.

Here’s the latest from ESPN’s Mike Reiss:

"“Last week’s announcement that the Week 15 Patriots-Colts game would be moved to Saturday, Dec. 18 shortens an already shortened Patriots bye week because the team’s Week 13 game is at Buffalo on Monday, Dec. 6. ‘Come on, NFL!’ joked McCourty. Side note: NFL Network plans to finalize/announce its broadcast team for Patriots-Colts by the week of Dec. 6.”"

The sole benefit here? The Pats’ next against the Bills, which will have even more significant implications for the AFC East division title, will feature an extra day of rest. Other than that? Not much! As opposed to the usual 13 days between the games before and after the bye, the Patriots will have 11.

The NFL really values player safety and health? Then explain why we’re shortening bye weeks with an extra game on the schedule as injury issues league-wide have worsened in recent years? Not to mention, the Patriots are in the thick of the playoff picture during a surprising campaign that’s been driven by a resurgent defense and quality quarterback play from rookie Mac Jones.

Now, they’ll have to go on the road and face a team fighting for their playoff lives in the Wild Card picture a day earlier than they should have to.

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