Earlier in the week, Green Bay was hit with its first COVID issue of the season. AJ Dillon cannot play tonight because he tested positive for coronavirus. Jamaal Williams and Kamal Martin are both out too because they were in close contact with Dillon. This put the Packers at a disadvantage, but the league proceeded on. They treated it like a team full of injuries at one position. San Francisco also had a COVID case pop up with Kendrick Bourne which led to three players that also have to sit out because of close contact. Many are wondering why this game is being played tonight. The answer is the NFL wants you to know they’re done shifting games especially Thursday games.

Why do you ask? Well, it’s two things. One, FOX, and Amazon paid a ton of money for the Thursday night package. They expect to be alone on Thursday night and draw a big rating. They typically do. Green Bay and San Francisco are two public teams. That is a great rating game in itself. Then add to the fact that everyone needs a distraction with the craziness going with Election Day, you have a potential ratings monster. Like it or not, the league dug their heels in for this one.

NFL believes that the protocols they put in place after the fiasco in Tennessee are working. For the most part, they’re right. There have been no significant outbreaks post-Tennessee, rather, a few COVID cases. Adding the close contact rule probably helped slow the spread. But this is the first time we’ve seen two teams have COVID issues leading up to the game. It is part of the reason why Thursday night games are tricky in times of COVID. The league is hellbent on playing this game, but they’re running a risk. If either team suffers an outbreak, the league is directly responsible for that happening.

Tonight is the COVID Game. Might sound flippant but that is how this game will be perceived. Hope the NFL knows what they’re doing.

Charlie.