The 2020 NFL season was most definitely one for the history books. The COVID-19 pandemic put the season in grave danger, but we are more than fortunate to have been able to witness a completed season even though it didn’t have the same energy as a usual year with packed crowds.
This was the first season in NFL history that had a game played on every day of the week, not by design. COVID-19 outbreaks on various teams often forced the league into unprecedented logistical problems, compelling some teams to play on Tuesday and Wednesday, certainly not traditional game days. Players, when tested positive, had to go through commonly practiced health and safety protocols, often jeopardizing their ability to play. In spite of these formidable obstacles, the NFL, somehow, completed each and every scheduled regular season game, leading us into the playoffs. To say it was an unusual year is an understatement. The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens both experienced COVID-19 outbreaks in which more than 20 players and coaches contracted the virus on each team.
The 2020 NFL season was the 101st season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season started with the NFL Kickoff Game on September 10, in which defending Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City defeated Houston. The season concluded with Tampa Bay defeating Kansas City in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 7, 2021.
The Oakland Raiders relocated to Las Vegas for the 2020 season, now playing at Allegiant Stadium as the Las Vegas Raiders. After a decades-long controversy, the Washington Redskins retired the use of their name and logo and adopted the temporary name “Washington Football Team” for this season.
The season was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the most prominent changes were the cancellation of all preseason games and the 2021 Pro Bowl, the suspension of international games for the year, an allowance for players to opt out of playing the season without violating their contracts (66 players opted out), the playing of games with either a greatly reduced audience or no fans at all, and the postponement and/or rescheduling of multiple games due to positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff. Despite the changes, all 256 regular season games were played within the original 17-week span, with no cancellations.
Some of the brightest stars in the NFL had their seasons abruptly ended: Saquon Barkley, star running back for the New York Giants, tore his ACL in the first quarter of their week two game against the Chicago Bears, ending his season. Dak Prescott, quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, suffered a gruesome ankle injury in their week five matchup against the New York Giants, prematurely terminating what could have been his best season to date. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers’ elite defensive end, suffered the same ACL tear as Saquon Barkley in their week two game against the New York Jets, putting a detrimental hole in the Niners’ defense.
Unfortunately, this is only a small sample of the players who suffered severe injuries this season, but teams will look forward to getting their stars back next year with a greater emphasis on safety.
The 2020 playoffs began on the weekend of January 9–10, 2021 with the Wild Card Round. Under the new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the playoffs expanded to 14 teams. There were three Wild Card teams per conference and only the top seed in each conference received a first-round bye. Three games were played each day.
In the Divisional Round on January 16–17, the top seed in the conference hosted the worst remaining seed, and the other two remaining teams played each other, with the better seed hosting. The winners of those games advanced to the Conference Championships on for January 24. Super Bowl LV was held February 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
In case a COVID-19 outbreak forces the postponements of playoff games, the bye week after the Conference Championships could have be eliminated and the Super Bowl could have been moved back as far as February 28.
The 2021 Pro Bowl was originally scheduled for January 31 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. However, on October 14, the game was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Pro Bowl rosters for the 2020 season were released on December 21, and the league plans to hold a virtual event to honor the players chosen. Players selected were used in a broadcast playthrough in the video game Madden NFL 21 instead. This marked the first time since the 1949 season in which a Pro Bowl is not held.
Notable Superbowl arguments
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team to play, and win, a Super Bowl in its home stadium.
Tom Brady became the first player in NFL history to have 10 Super Bowl appearances.
Brady became the second quarterback to start a Super Bowl with a team from each conference, joining Craig Morton, and also the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with a team from each conference.
Brady became the oldest player to play in a Super Bowl at 43 years, 188 days old. The record was previously held by Matt Stover, who was 42 years, 11 days old in Super Bowl XLIV.
Brady and Rob Gronkowski set a record for the most playoff touchdowns by passer-receiver tandem with 13. The previous record of 12 was held by Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.
Brady became the first player to win a Super Bowl in three different decades.
Bruce Arians became the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl at age 68 and 127 days old.
Now let’s look forward to the 2021/22 NFL Season.