The NFL released the full 2019 schedule for all 32 teams ahead of its 100th season.
The first to square up are the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, a storied Midwest rivalry. As of now, the Packers lead the Bears with 96 wins to the Bears’ 94, but it’s a close one that will prove entertaining for the first game of this centennial season.
The NFL’s 100th season will kick off with @packers at @ChicagoBears on Thursday September 5th, 2019! #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/aGvs22AvNe
— NFL (@NFL) March 25, 2019The schedule release does include a slight issue for two teams in particular. Both the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face six-week stretches of road games. The Raiders host the Chiefs on 9/15 and don’t play in Oakland again until 11/3. While the Bucs host the Giants on 9/22 and don’t have another home game until 11/10.
Every game.
— NFL (@NFL) April 18, 2019
For every NFL team.
All in one place.
The 2019 NFL Schedule is HERE! #NFLScheduleRelease pic.twitter.com/e8ON4iq9iz“This is one that the NFL would love to have back. It’s certainly not unusual for an NFL team to have one home game over a six-week stretch,” NFL vice president of broadcasting Michael North told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday evening. “But when that one home (game) isn’t actually home, this is likely something that the NFL would seek to avoid in the future.”
“I’d love a redo on that one,” North said.
Obviously, there’s no such thing as a perfect schedule, but the NFL’s ultimate goal is to find one that makes the majority happy. Scheduling is complex, though, so for now, it’s a work in progress.