More NFL games could be on the horizon in 2021.
According to Peter King of NBC Sports, "the 17-game schedule is highly likely in 2021." In his latest column, King gave insight on why the league may be closer than ever to expanding the regular season schedule. King states that "TV partners and NFL schedulers are working under the assumption that the 17-game schedule (the way as paved for it last March when players approved a new CBA) will debut in 2021."
During their virtual meeting last December, NFL owners agreed on procedures necessary to add a 17th game to the regular season but did not approve an effective start date for the change. The league's owners may not have approved the addition to the 2021 regular season, but it could be a since collective approval for the scheduling logistics has already been finalized.
If the NFL does decide to add the 17th game to the 2021 schedule, the league calendar would include 17 games in 18 weekends with no extra bye week. King states the NFL would not change the start date of the season. Instead, the league would push Super Bowl LVI from Feb. 6 to Feb. 13, the latest championship game played in history.
The formula for determining the 17th game is AFC vs. NFC matchups from 2019 based on 2020 standings. For example, the Houston Texans and the AFC South played the NFC South two years ago. Since the Texans finished third in their division last year, they would face the third-ranked Carolina Panthers if an extra game is added to the slate in 2021.
Check out the rest of the Texans 2021 schedule here.
Houston Texans fans came (masked up) to NRG Stadium to cheer on the Houston Texans in 2020 Best Of Photo Galleries presented by Houston Methodist.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Oct. 11, 2020 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in NRG Stadium. The Texans won 30-14.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image from the Dec. 27, 2020 regular season home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans lost 31-37.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image from the Nov. 8, 2020 regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 27-25.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image of finished cleats for the 2020 My Cause My Cleats initiative.
An image of finished cleats for the 2020 My Cause My Cleats initiative.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image from the Dec. 6, 2020 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 20-26.
An image from the Nov. 8, 2020 regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans won 27-25.
An image from the Sept. 10, 2020 regular season away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans lost 20-34.
An image from the Oct. 4, 2020 regular season home game against the Minnesota Vikings in NRG Stadium. The Texans lost 23-31.
An image from the Oct. 11, 2020 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in NRG Stadium. The Texans won 30-14.
An image from the Oct. 11, 2020 regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in NRG Stadium. The Texans won 30-14.
An image from the Oct. 4, 2020 regular season home game against the Minnesota Vikings in NRG Stadium. The Texans lost 23-31.
