Dolphins-Buccaneers game will not be played in Miami due to Hurricane Irma
The NFL’s Week 1 schedule has been impacted by Hurricane Irma, which is bearing down on the Caribbean and is expected to reach Florida.
The Dolphins and Buccaneers were scheduled to get their 2017 seasons underway on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. However, due to the projected path of Hurricane Irma, the NFL has announced the game will not be played in Miami.
The NFL's statement on the Buccaneers vs. Dolphins game Sunday and Hurricane Irma's impact pic.twitter.com/ku3CaAL5vY
— Allan Bell, Jr. (@AllanBell247) September 5, 2017
Irma has reached Category 5 in strength and some models have the storm potentially making a direct hit on South Florida this weekend.
The NFL has not yet announced if the game will be played at a neutral location this weekend or re-scheduled for later in the season. Both teams do have a bye in Week 11, but ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio points out a potential pitfall with that option.
If Bucs-Fins moves to Week 11, both teams will play 16 straight games with no break. Miami will play one of them in London. #playersafety
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 5, 2017
There are obviously several moving parts that have to and will be considered before a final decision is made. While we should know sooner rather than later what the league decides, Chris Long shared this potential solution.
Should move the game to a neutral site, sell affordable tickets to benefit hurricane recovery. Am I being naive? https://t.co/SvJZHBPjMl
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) September 5, 2017
