NFL Schedule Leaks Begin Dripping Out
The NFL makes a big deal of its schedule release because it gives content to an entire NFL Network show and that brings in advertising revenue. So good for the league.
I don't work for the league.
I work for OutKick and my job is to give you whatever news runs across my text messages or whatever. And I'm not alone because NFL reporters across the NFL are trying to unearth the schedules of the teams they cover as soon as possible -- there's a fan appetite for this.
So this is the OutKick schedule leak post.
Below are the leaks we're reported or have confirmed so far. Return occasionally because we'll update as more information comes in.
The leaks:
Buffalo Bills: Happy Thanksgiving, Bills fans, you're team is headed to Detroit to possibly carve up the Lions. And, oh yeah, the first game of the season will match the defending Super bowl champion L.A. Rams hosting the Bills on Sept. 8.
Chicago Bears: They are getting a lot of national exposure this season. They play the Packers in Week 2 on Sunday Night Football. They play at the Patriots on Monday Night in Week 7 (Oct. 24) and they will host the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football in Week 6 (Oct. 13). The Bears will be in Detroit to play the Lions on Jan. 1, per the Chicago Tribune and confirmed by OutKick.
The game against the Patriots pits Justin Fields versus Mac Jones in a matchup of 2020 first-round quarterbacks.
Dallas Cowboys: Their annual Thanksgiving Day game this year will be against the New York Giants, per a source.
Tennessee Titans: They open at home against the New York Giants in Week 1. We know they travel to Buffalo for a Monday night game in Week 2.
New Orleans Saints: They open at home against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 and travel to play at Tampa Bay Week 2 on Monday Night (Sept. 26).
Miami Dolphins: They open with a home game against New England, which they swept in 2021. It will be a 1 p.m. start so a hot weather advantage in South Florida for the Dolphins.
Detroit Lions: They host the Philadelphia Eagles in week 1. They host the Chicago Bears in Week 17 (Jan. 1).
New England Patriots: They travel to Green Bay in Week 4, so no frozen tundra game for them likely. They host the Lions in Week 5, per the Boston Herald. They will spend Thanksgiving Day in the Twin Cities playing against the Minnesota Vikings.
New York Jets: They will host the Baltimore Ravens in their season-opener, the New York Post reported and OutKick has confirmed. The Jets will be limited to the NFL mandated one primetime game in 2022, that a Thursday night game Dec. 22 versus Jacksonville.
New York Giants: Aside from opening at Tennessee and playing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, they open at home the following Sunday (Sept. 18) against Carolina. They also play at Minnesota Dec. 24.
And now the entire Giants schedule has been leaked to WPIX Channel 11 in New York. The highlights:
The Giants host the Cowboys on Monday night Sept. 26,, get their bye in Week 9, sandwich the Eagles home game on Dec. 11 with a home game against Washington Dec. 4 and the rematch at Washington in Week 15. The Giants, under new coach Brian Daboll, conclude their season at Philadelphia in Week 18.
The Giants schedule is annually among the first to leak in its entirety and this year is no different.
Philadelphia Eagles: Aside from the leaks we've reported or confirmed above, the Eagles will host the Jacksonville Jaguars Oct. 2, a source confirms.
Come back regularly for updates.
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