Could the NFL opt for the postseason to be held in a bubble format? Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL open to bubble format for playoffs

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/19/20

As of Aug. 19, the NFL intends to follow in the footsteps of MLB and allow teams and other personnel to live at home and travel for in-market games for a 2020 regular season conducted amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Those plans reportedly could change upon the start of the playoffs.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton recommended the NFL embrace a "bubble" format for the postseason. That option is under consideration.

Saints’ HC Sean Payton recommended using a postseason bubble on a recent competition committee call, and the NFL isn’t ruling it out. “All options are on the table,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2020

It has been widely reported MLB could mimic the NHL and place groups of teams inside a pair of isolated hubs for a postseason tournament in October. The NCAA, meanwhile, could embrace multiple bubbles for nonconference college basketball slates and, ultimately, 2021 March Madness competitions.

Since May, the UFC, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, NBA, NHL and WNBA all avoided costly virus outbreaks among athletes by creating bubble sites to limit exposure to outside individuals.

Theoretically, the NFL could utilize separate hubs for the AFC and NFC playoffs leading up to Super Bowl LV, which is still scheduled to be held in Tampa, Fla., despite concerns related to COVID-19.

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