National Football League had a quiet week with COVID-19 in Week 8. There was a positive test here and there, but nothing got serious to the point of having to shut down a game. Then things picked up rapidly on Monday morning. Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers both had positive tests coming out of the game. Some are asking how can that happen? Well, the teams are now taking pregame COVID-19 tests and those results do not come back until late Sunday or early next day. This seems odd, but weirdly, the system is a bit flawed yet helps with the following week.

The National Football League should review the pre-game rule. Is there any way they could do it Saturday evening? That to me makes more sense. You find out the result then if you need to sit someone, in the Packers’ case A.J. Dillon, you do that too. But then the question is do you also have to sit close contacted individuals? It has been reported that Jamaal Williams and Kamal Martin might have been close with Dillon and why they were both held out of practice. It creates a weird ripple effect right before a game. My guess is the league selfishly doesn’t want that.

People can cry outrage that this is ridiculous, but we have rarely seen any outbreaks stem from gameday. Remember when people lost their fucking minds that Stephon Gilmore who was COVID positive, shook hands with Patrick Mahomes? Nothing came of that. Packers had a situation where a Texans player tested positive after their game, it didn’t affect Green Bay at all. The reason why Packers’ fans are mad about it is Thursday night. If they were playing on Sunday, is this even an issue? We’ll obviously see if more positives pop up. Then it truly is and we’re not talking football until maybe Monday.

The reason it makes sense is it gives the NFL time to plan for next week. I guarantee you there is a plan on paper for how to move this game if need be. The same goes for the Ravens. Doing this pregame testing gets the NFL a headstart on the week ahead and if things need to be moved around. They’re ready to find solutions if need be. This gives them a bit more time to plan versus making sudden decisions.

The Packers game is still on Thursday, but if more tests come back positive, it will be pushed back. It is a big wait and see game for everybody.

Charlie.