John Clayton: NFL sked will feature AFC vs. NFC for first four weeks

The first few weeks of the new season will have a different look. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

John Clayton: 2020 NFL schedule will feature AFC vs. NFC for first four weeks

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/6/20

Roughly one day before the NFL will release a 17-week schedule for the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, football insider John Clayton said the league is planning for the possibility that games could be canceled en route to a shortened campaign.

Clayton spoke about this on Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan:

.@JohnClaytonNFL tells @937theFan that the NFL schedule will be NFC vs AFC for the 1st 4 weeks of the season. Steelers play the NFC East. So 1st 4 games would be Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, and Giants.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 6, 2020

As Clayton explained, beginning the season with AFC versus NFC contests provides the NFL with the option of canceling those matchups, entirely, and moving to a 12-game schedule during the fall.

Per Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports, this means either the Carolina Panthers or Atlanta Falcons would play at the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, on Thursday, September 10.

Later in the segment, Clayton went on to say that divisional games may not begin until after Week 6. This would maintain conference and divisional schedules across the league if future virus outbreaks push the start of the campaign back as late as November or even December.

While Clayton is unquestionably a knowledgeable source, it's worth noting that this is all speculation until official announcements are made by individual clubs or the NFL. If his report is accurate, though, it suggests at least some within the NFL believe the pandemic could shorten the season by as many as six games.

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