The recently released 2011 NFL schedule leaves open the possibility that a work stoppage can impact the start of the regular season and not significantly alter the playing schedule.
Every game in Week 3 has teams which share the same bye week later on in the season. That means the teams could make up that week’s games on what was originally scheduled to be their bye.
Additionally each team that has a home game during Week 2 is on the road in Week 4. Every road team in Week 2 has a home game during Week 4.
There are also NO divisional games scheduled for Week 4 of the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since the NFL-AFL merger, there has never been a week with no divisional matchup.
What does this all mean? If the CBA is not resolved in time to start the 2011 season then Weeks 2 and 4 can be dropped without harm since all 32 teams would lose one home and one away game and no divisional games would be affected.
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