The NFL's opening day game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins has been postponed until November because of the expected landfall of Hurricane Irma in Florida over the weekend.
The NFL decided to postpone the game rather than moving it to a neutral site so that players and team staff can take care of their families as Irma approaches, ESPN reported. The game will be played on both teams’ shared bye week, Nov. 19, rather than this Sunday due to the hurricane, which is currently a Category 5 storm making its way toward Florida.
Because of the postponement of their first game, both teams will have to play 16 games straight this season, which is a disadvantage for them.
The Dolphins indicated they would prefer to still play the game so they could have their bye week later in the season, ESPN reported. The Dolphins canceled their practice and media activities Wednesday.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami's home stadium where the teams would have played, has had $500 million in renovations in the past two years, including reinforcing the structure so it could withstand a Category 4 hurricane.
Those with tickets to the postponed game will be able to use them for the rescheduled game on Nov. 19, the Miami Herald reported. The Hurricane Harvey donation drive hosted by the stadium also has been suspended to allow preparations for Irma to take place.
Some on Twitter were worried about the teams having to play 16 weeks in a row.
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