"The Stack" 5-7-20
The NFL schedule gets released tonight at 8 PM ET with team social media and websites releasing their team's schedule a half hour earlier. Can't wait for the release.
The Stack is back on this Thursday and are you as pumped as I am for the NFL schedule to be released tonight? No full mock schedule is coming from me today, but I have listed when I think each team will play at against whom so let’s get right to “the stack” for today, Thursday, May 6th:
NFL schedule to be released today
Below are my predictions for when each team will play
*number of games in parenthesis “()”
*home games in all CAPS
Arizona Cardinals
1PM ET/Noon CT: (5) @ Carolina, @ Dallas, @ New England, @ NY Giants, @ NY Jets
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (8) LA RAMS, SAN FRANCISCO, BUFFALO, DETROIT, MIAMI, PHILADELPHIA, WASHINGTON, @ Seattle
SNF: (0)
MNF: (2) SEATTLE, @ San Francisco
TNF: (1) @ LA Rams
A note on the schedule: I think the game against Dallas could a primetime game, especially with Kyler Murray and Deandre Hopkins. Hard to think of 3 primetime division games, but this is likely a different year.
Atlanta Falcons
1PM ET/Noon CT: (12) CAROLINA, NEW ORLEANS, CHICAGO, DENVER, DETROIT, SEATTLE, @ Carolina, @ New Orleans, @ Tampa Bay, @ Kansas City, @ Green Bay, @ Minnesota
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (2) LAS VEGAS, @ LA Chargers
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) @ Dallas
TNF: (1) TAMPA BAY
A note on the schedule: The Falcons rallied late last year and they have stars like Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Are they that much of primetime material though? I’m not sure.
Baltimore Ravens
1PM ET/Noon CT: (5) CINCINNATI, CLEVELAND, JACKSONVILLE, NY GIANTS, @ Cincinnati
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (7) DALLAS, NEW ENGLAND, TENNESSEE, @ Cleveland, @ Houston, @ Pittsburgh, @ Philadelphia
SNF: (2) PITTSBURGH, KANSAS CITY
MNF: (1) @ Indianapolis
TNF: (1) @ Washington
A note on the schedule: The Ravens certainly could and perhaps should be in line for a third SNF game. But against who? Dallas, New England and Tennessee are all prime candidates. Maybe the game against Kansas City goes to the late afternoon slot. Either way, expect to see the Ravens a lot in the late afternoon slot and primetime windows.
Buffalo Bills
1PM ET/Noon CT: (8) MIAMI, NY JETS, KANSAS CITY, LA CHARGERS, LA RAMS, @ Miami, @ NY Jets, @ Tennessee
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (6) SEATTLE, @ New England, @ Arizona, @ Denver, @ Las Vegas, @ San Francisco
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) NEW ENGLAND
TNF: (1) PITTSBURGH
A note on the schedule: Don’t be surprised to see the Bills get a third or even a fourth primetime game as they could be the class of the AFC East. Adding Stefon Diggs provides some star power, but I think the Bills may be a year away from true primetime stardom.
Carolina Panthers
1PM ET/Noon CT: (12) ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY, ARIZONA, CHICAGO, DETROIT, LAS VEGAS, @ Atlanta, @ Tampa Bay, @ Green Bay, @ Kansas City, @ Minnesota
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (2) DENVER, @ LA Chargers
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) @ Washington
TNF: (1) @ New Orleans
A note on the schedule: Carolina has a star in Christian McCaffrey. New head coach Matt Rhule certainly adds intrigue. Playing against former head coach Ron Rivera adds intrigue to possibly put them in primetime. Teddy Bridgewater facing his former team is a reason to put this one in primetime as well.
Chicago Bears
1PM ET/Noon CT: (11) DETROIT, GREEN BAY, MINNESOTA, INDIANAPOLIS, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY, @ Detroit, @ Atlanta, @ Carolina, @ Jacksonville, @ Tennessee
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (2) HOUSTON, @ LA Rams
SNF: (0)
MNF: (2) NY GIANTS, @ Green Bay
TNF: (1) @ Minnesota
A note on the schedule: It’s tough to peg Chicago. Big media market and certainly they can’t be as disappointing as they were last year. But unless Nick Foles is an absolute guarantee, I don’t know how much you put Chicago in primetime.
Cincinnati Bengals
1PM ET/Noon CT: (14) BALTIMORE, PITTSBURGH, DALLAS, JACKSONVILLE, LA CHARGERS, NY GIANTS, TENNESSEE, @ Baltimore, @ Cleveland, @Pittsburgh, @ Houston, @ Indianapolis, @ Philadelphia, @ Washington
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (1) @ Miami
SNF: (0)
MNF: (0)
TNF: (1) CLEVELAND
A note on the schedule: The Bengals were the worst team in the NFL last year so if they get one primetime game they will be lucky. Playing Miami in the late afternoon slot could feature Joe Borrow against Tua…plus they had that great finish last year.
Cleveland Browns
1PM ET/Noon CT: (11): CINCINNATI, PITTSBURGH, HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS, LAS VEGAS,
PHILADELPHIA, WASHINGTON, @ Baltimore, @ Jacksonville, @ NY Jets, @ Tennessee
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (3) BALTIMORE, @ Dallas, @ NY Giants
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) @ Pittsburgh
TNF: (1) @ Cincinnati
A note on the schedule: The Browns certainly could get another primetime game or two, but given what happened last year, the NFL may take a wait and see approach. There is potential for several of the teams in the noon slot to the late afternoon or primetime slot.
Dallas Cowboys
1PM ET/Noon CT: (5) NY GIANTS, WASHINGTON, ARIZONA, @ Washington, @ Cincinnati
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (7): CLEVELAND, PITTSBURGH, SAN FRANCISCO, @ NY Giants, @ Baltimore, @ Minnesota, @ Seattle
SNF: (2) @ LA Rams, @ Philadelphia
MNF: (1) ATLANTA
TNF: (1) PHILADELPHIA
A note on the schedule: Like the Ravens, it seems near certain that the Cowboys will end up on SNF a third time. They have been on the Thursday night following Thanksgiving the las few years as well so I’m taking a bit of a risk. Likely one of the teams in the late afternoon window will move to primetime with Arizona being a wildcard in terms of being a primetime opponent. Either way, expect to see Dallas a lot in the late afternoon timeslot and primetime…again.
Denver Broncos
1PM ET/Noon CT: (4) @ New England, @ Atlanta, @ NY Jets, @ Pittsburgh
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (9) KANSAS CITY, LAS VEGAS, BUFFALO, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY, TENNESSEE, @ Las Vegas, @ Carolina
SNF: (0)
MNF: (2) @ Kansas City, @ LA Chargers
TNF: (1) LA CHARGERS
A note on the schedule: The Broncos are a team likely to take a significant jump this year. They could be a really fun team to watch. A game against Las Vegas could move to primetime as could a game against Tampa Bay. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos schedule turns out.
Detroit Lions
1PM ET/Noon CT: (14) CHICAGO, MINNESOTA, HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY, WASHINGTON, @ Chicago, @ Green Bay, @ Minnesota, @ Atlanta, @ Carolina, @ Jacksonville, @ Tennessee
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (1) @ Arizona
SNF: (0)
MNF: (0)
TNF (Thanksgiving): (1) GREEN BAY
A note on the schedule: It’s hard to see the Lions getting more than Thanksgiving in primetime this year. If there is one more, it would be Tampa Bay.
Green Bay Packers
1PM ET/Noon CT: (6) DETROIT, ATLANTA, CAROLINA, JACKSONVILLE, @ Chicago, @ Minnesota
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) TENNESSEE, @ Tampa Bay, @ Indianapolis, @ San Francisco,
SNF: (3) MINNESOTA, at Houston, at New Orleans
MNF: (1) CHICAGO
TNF: (2) PHILADELPHIA, @ Detroit (Thanksgiving)
A note on the schedule: The Packers will get the 5 primetime games and with the addition of Thanksgiving, six national games in all. Tampa Bay could be a primetime game and maybe bump New Orleans to the late afternoon window. Either way, expect to see the Packers a lot in primetime.
Houston Texans
1PM ET/Noon CT: (9) JACKSONVILLE, TENNESSEE, CINCINNATI, MINNESOTA, @ Indianapolis, @ Jacksonville, @ Cleveland, @ Detroit, @ Pittsburgh
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) BALTIMORE, NEW ENGLAND, @ Indianapolis, @ Chicago
SNF: (1) GREEN BAY
MNF: (0)
TNF: (2) @ Kansas City (season opener), @ Tennessee (Thanksgiving)
A note on the schedule: It’s difficult to peg the Texans schedule. They have Deshaun Watson, a star at the QB position so that helps, but no more Deandre Hopkins. With Tennessee and Indianapolis looking like the two best teams in the division, maybe Houston isn’t quite the draw they have been in years past. I’m guessing they will likely get one more primetime game.
Indianapolis Colts
1PM ET/Noon CT: (9) JACKSONVILLE, CINCINNATI, MINNESOTA, @ Jacksonville, @ Houston, @ Tennessee, @ Chicago, @ Cleveland, @ Detroit
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (3) GREEN BAY, HOUSTON, @ Las Vegas
SNF: (1) @ Pittsburgh
MNF: (2) BALTIMORE, TENNESSEE
TNF: (1) NY JETS
A note on the schedule: The Colts seem destined to be a very good team this year. It helps that Philip Rivers is the QB. There may be some altering of the primetime games, but a game against Ben Roethlisberger is awfully intriguing and the Colts seem like a team ready to be in the lights of primetime a lot this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1PM ET/Noon CT: (15) INDIANAPOLIS, HOUSTON, TENNNESSEE, CHICAGO, CLEVELAND, DETROIT, MIAMI, PITTSBURGH, @ Houston, @ Indianapolis, @ Tennessee, @ Baltimore, @ Cincinnati, @ Green Bay, @ Minnesota
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT (1) @ LA Chargers
SNF: (0)
MNF: (0)
TNF: (0)
A note on the schedule: The Jaguars are an awful team and they have very little star power, Minshew Mania aside. I don’t see any primetime games in their future for the year.
Kansas City Chiefs
1PM ET/Noon CT : (7) LAS VEGAS, LA CHARGERS, ATLANTA, CAROLINA, NY JETS, @ Buffalo, @
Miami
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) NEW ENGLAND, @ Denver, @ LA Chargers, @ New Orleans
SNF: (2) @ Baltimore, @ Tampa Bay
MNF: (1) DENVER
TNF: (2) HOUSTON (Season opener) @ Las Vegas
A note on the schedule: I feel like this is going to be way off. The Chiefs will have probably one more SNF game and more games in the late afternoon time slot. Looking at their home schedule though, I’m not sure there are a lot of viable candidates. Expect to see the Chiefs a lot in the late afternoon time slot and primetime.
Las Vegas Raiders
1PM ET/Noon CT: (5) @ Kansas City, @ New England, @ NY Jets, @ Carolina, @ Cleveland
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (8) DENVER, BUFFALO, INDIANAPOLIS, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS, @ Denver, @ LA Chargers, @ Atlanta
SNF: (1) TAMPA BAY
MNF: (1) LA CHARGERS
TNF: (1) KANSAS CITY
A note on the schedule: A new stadium means plenty of opportunities for primetime. Maybe the Raiders get a fourth primetime game though I’m not entirely sure.
Los Angeles Chargers
1PM ET/Noon CT : (5) @ Buffalo, @ Kansas City, @ Cincinnati, @ Miami, @ New Orleans
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (8) KANSAS CITY, LAS VEGAS, ATLANTA, CAROLINA, JACKSONVILLE, NEW ENGLAND, NY JETS, @ Tampa Bay
SNF: (0)
MNF: (2) DENVER, @ Las Vegas
TNF: (1) @ Denver
A note on the schedule: A new stadium for the Chargers, but they are second fiddle (and the tenants) in the stadium compared to the Rams. Plus they weren’t that good last year. Not sure how much we’ll see the Chargers in primetime.
Los Angeles Rams
1PM ET/Noon CT: (4) @ Buffalo, @ Miami, @ Philadelphia, @ Washington
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (9) SEATTLE, CHICAGO, NEW ENGLAND,NY GIANTS, NY JETS, @ Arizona, @ San Francisco, @ Seattle, @ Tampa Bay
SNF: (2) SAN FRANCISCO, DALLAS
MNF: (0)
TNF: (1) ARIZONA
A note on the schedule: Maybe the Rams get a MNF game. They probably will in order to show off the shiny new stadium. But they aren’t as good as the other teams in their division so who knows what the league may do with this team.
Miami Dolphins
1PM ET/Noon CT: (8) BUFFALO, NEW YORK JETS, KANSAS CITY, LA CHARGERS, LA RAMS, @ Buffalo @ New England, @ Jacksonville
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (6) CINCINNATI, SEATTLE, @ Arizona, @ Denver, @
Las Vegas, @ San Francisco
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) @ NY Jets
TNF: (1) NEW ENGLAND
A note on the schedule: The Dolphins have a chance for a couple of primetime games this year and they have many trips out to the west coast. We’ll see if Tua is enough to give the Dolphins more of a spotlight.
Minnesota Vikings
1PM ET/Noon CT: (9) DETROIT, GREEN BAY, ATLANTA, CAROLINA, JACKSONVILLE, @ Chicago, @ Detroit, @ Houston, @ Indianapolis
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) DALLAS, TENNESSEE, @ New Orleans, @ Seattle
SNF: (1) @ Green Bay
MNF: (1) @ Tampa Bay
TNF: CHICAGO
A note on the schedule: I’m not sure what will happen with the Vikings. Maybe they get a couple of more primetime games with Dallas and New Orleans and maybe they don’t put the Titans game in the late afternoon window. The Vikings aren’t very good in primetime and with Stefon Diggs gone, we’ll see if Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook are enough to make them a national draw.
New England Patriots
1PM ET/Noon CT : (6) MIAMI, NY JETS, ARIZONA, DENVER, LAS VEGAS, @ NY Jets
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (6) BALTIMORE, BUFFALO, @ Houston, @ Kansas City, @ LA Chargers, @ LA Rams
SNF: (2) SAN FRANCISCO, @Seattle
MNF: (1) @ Buffalo
TNF: (1) @ Miami
A note on the schedule: With no Tom Brady, the Patriots aren’t nearly going to be the national draw that they have been in recent years. Maybe some of their late afternoon games will go to the noon slot. I don’t know. The Patriots are one of the teams I am really intrigued by to see what the league does. They have a lot of good teams on their schedule that make them an attractive watch.
New Orleans Saints
1PM ET/Noon CT : (6) ATLANTA, LA CHARGERS, @ Atlanta, @ Carolina, @ Chicago, @ Detroit
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (6) KANSAS CITY, MINNESOTA, SAN FRANCISCO, @ Tampa Bay, @ Denver, @ Las Vegas
SNF: (2) GREEN BAY, @ Philadelphia
MNF: (1) TAMPA BAY
TNF: (1) CAROLINA
A note on the schedule: The Saints are a star studded team. With the Chiefs, Tom Brady and Bucs on the schedule (twice) plus the Packers and Vikings, the Saints will be a team you see in the late afternoon time slot and primetime early and often. Won’t be a shock at all if they get a third SNF game.
New York Giants
1PM ET/Noon CT: (10) WASHINGTON, ARIZONA, PITTSBURGH, SAN FRANCISCO, TAMPA BAY, @Dallas, @ Philadelphia, @ Washington, @ Baltimore, @ Cincinnati
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) CLEVELAND, DALLAS, @ LA Rams, @ Seattle
SNF: (0)
MNF: (2) PHILADELPHIA, @ Chicago
TNF: (0)
A note on the schedule: The Giants will probably get more primetime games in part because they are from New York and in part because of Saquon Barkley. There are some attractive teams for primetime, but I think late afternoon will suffice for now.
New York Jets
1PM ET/Noon CT: (11) BUFFALO, NEW ENGLAND, ARIZONA, CLEVELAND, DENVER, LAS VEGAS, SAN
FRANCISCO, @ Buffalo, @ Miami, @ New England, @ Kansas City
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (3) @ LA Chargers, @ LA Rams, @ Seattle
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) MIAMI
TNF: (1) @ Indianapolis
A note on the schedule: Tough to tell what the Jets are going to get. They are a New York team, but how good are they. They may get one more primetime game, but it’s not going to be more than three. They just aren’t good enough.
Philadelphia Eagles
1PM ET/Noon CT : (6) NY GIANTS, WASHINGTON, CINCINNATI, LA RAMS, @ Washington, @
Cleveland
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (5) BALTIMORE, SEATTLE, @ Arizona, @ Pittsburgh, @ San Francisco
SNF: (2) DALLAS, NEW ORLEANS
MNF: (1) @ NY Giants
TNF: (2) @ Dallas (Thanksgiving), @ Green Bay (week after Thanksgiving)
A note on the schedule: The Eagles are a team that is quite the draw. I’ve put them at Green Bay a week after playing Dallas on Thanksgiving. That’s kind of risky given that Dallas is normally the team that plays the week after Thanksgiving. Games against New Orleans, Baltimore and in-state rival Pittsburgh are games destined for late afternoon or primetime.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1PM ET/Noon CT: (8) CINCINNATI, DENVER, HOUSTON, WASHINGTON, @ Cincinnati, @ Cleveland, @ Jacksonville, @ NY Giants
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (3) BALTIMORE, PHILADELPHIA, @ Dallas
SNF: (3) INDIANAPOLIS, @ Baltimore, @ Tennessee
MNF: (1) CLEVELAND
TNF: (1) @ Buffalo
A note on the schedule: The Steelers aren’t as good as they have been in years past, but they have a very attractive schedule. Games against Buffalo and Tennessee may not be great primetime games at first, but both teams were playoff teams a year ago. Plus you have Baltimore twice and a rival with Cleveland that’s enhanced even more after the Myles Garrett incident last year. At least for one more year, the Steelers are a huge draw.
San Francisco 49ers
1PM ET/Noon CT: (2) @ NY Giants, @ NY Jets
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (9) LA RAMS, BUFFALO, MIAMI, GREEN BAY, PHILADELPHIA, WASHINGTON @ Arizona, @ Dallas, @ New Orleans
SNF: SEATTLE, @ LA Rams, @ New England
MNF: (1) ARIZONA
TNF: (1) @ Seattle
A note on the schedule: The Super Bowl runners up will have a lot of opportunities against the best teams in the NFL. That will mean plenty of primetime appearances and this team deserves it.
Seattle Seahawks
1PM ET/Noon CT: (2) @ Atlanta, @ Washington
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (10) ARIZONA, DALLAS, LA RAMS, NY GIANTS, NY JETS, MINNESOTA, @ LA Rams, @ Buffalo @ Miami, @ Philadelphia
SNF: (2) NEW ENGLAND, @ San Francisco
MNF: (1) @ Arizona
TNF: (1) SAN FRANCISCO
A note on the schedule: I’m still not sure just how good the Seahawks are. They are not as good as they have been in previous years, but they still have Russell Wilson and with games against New England and playing the 49ers twice, the Seahawks make for a worthy primetime team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1PM ET/Noon CT: (6) ATLANTA, CAROLINA, @ Carolina, @ Chicago, @ Detroit, @ NY Giants
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (5) NEW ORLEANS, GREEN BAY, LA CHARGERS, LA RAMS, @ Denver
SNF: (2) KANSAS CITY, @ Las Vegas
MNF: (2) MINNESOTA, @ New Orleans
TNF: (1) @ Atlanta
A note on the schedule: The Buccaneers’ schedule could go any number of ways because of Tom Brady and the Gronk. Maybe Green Bay is a primetime game. Maybe Kansas City goes to late afternoon. Either way, the Bucs will be one of the most watched teams in all the league this year.
Tennessee Titans
1PM ET/Noon CT : (9) INDIANAPOLIS, JACKSONVILLE, BUFFALO, CHICAGO, CLEVELAND, DETROIT, @ Houston, @ Cincinnati, @ Jacksonville
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (4) @ Baltimore, @ Denver, @ Green Bay, @ Minnesota
SNF: (1) PITTSBURGH
MNF: (1) @ Indianapolis
TNF: (1) HOUSTON (Thanksgiving night)
A note on the schedule: Despite making it to the AFC Championship game, is this team must-see television? I don’t think so. Maybe they get a fourth primetime game (it would likely be Baltimore), but with only Derrick Henry, it isn’t enough.
Washington
1PM ET/Noon CT: (12) DALLAS, NY GIANTS, PHILADELPHIA CINCINNATI, LA RAMS, SEATTLE, @ Dallas, @ NY Giants, @ Philadelphia, @ Cleveland, @ Detroit @ Pittsburgh
4:05 PM ET/3:05 PM ET/4:25 PM ET/3:25 PM CT: (2) @ Arizona, @ San Francisco
SNF: (0)
MNF: (1) CAROLINA
TNF: (1) BALTIMORE
A note on the schedule: Washington is a little more attractive because of Ron Rivera coming to be the head coach and getting rid of front office president Bruce Allen. Carolina is a worthy opponent, because it’s Rivera’s former team. Baltimore is just a stone’s throw away. Why not?
I was going to put a Minnesota Vikings mock schedule in the blog today, but I’m going to do that separately. Head to my Twitter feed (@ndstacken) or on Facebook (Nathan Stacken) and I will have it posted by middle afternoon.
I can’t wait for the schedule to be released. It’s going to be fun to see how it all unfolds.
Coming up Friday: Reaction to the NFL Schedule Release
