As Hurricane Irma closes in on the American South-East the NFL is preparing for the worst by announcing that Sundays 1 P.M. game will not be played in Miami
First reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport the NFL’s decision was based on the current issue Houston is facing after Hurricane Harvey had the Texans-Cowboys final preseason game canceled due to the state of the city.
Here is the NFL’s official statement
Update on the Tampa Bay-Miami game pic.twitter.com/8gKqe4WrW9
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) September 5, 2017
The two most obvious options are to either play the game on neutral territory or postpone it. The latter would be less difficult to achieve as both teams share a bye week (week 11) and could be player Nov.19.
Both teams I’m sure would prefer the former as this would leave both teams to play 16 straight games with no off week. It is lose-lose for the Dolphins though as they are already losing a home game to host the Saints in London in October.
(9/6/17 UPDATE)
The NFL has officially announced the game will be rescheduled to week 11 on November 19th. Here’s a statement from the league.
Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irma on South Florida, the Miami Dolphins home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium, will instead be played there in Week 11 on Sunday, November 19, the NFL announced today.
Week 11 was previously an open date for both clubs.
The NFL announced yesterday that in the interest of public safety in light of the continuing state of emergency, the league, in consultation with state and local officials as well as both clubs, would not play an NFL game in South Florida this week.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the impacted area.
