NFL scheduling exec: 'I'd love to take another shot' at Bucs' rough slate
Notice anything quirky about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2019 schedule?
It's OFFICIAL!
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 18, 2019
Clear your schedule, ours is out!
https://t.co/fU1iAv86sR pic.twitter.com/Fz64Qu3HQH
The Bucs don't play a home game at Raymond James Stadium from Week 4 to Week 9.
They host the New York Giants in Week 3 on Sept. 22 before playing two road games, then head to London for a dedicated home game on Oct. 13. Following the overseas contest, they play two more road contests before finally returning to their home field in Week 10 on Nov. 10.
That's a 49-day stretch in which the Buccaneers won't play in front of their home fans.
NFL senior director of broadcast planning and scheduling Mike North said the scheduling quirk was unintended.
"If we had to do-over, if we had a redo, I'd love to take another shot at that Tampa Bay schedule," North said Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to CBS Sports' John Breech.
"I'm not sure that's really fair to their fans. I'm hopeful that we didn't do something to the Buccaneers that they feel like was really unfair."
The schedule is so unorthodox that North admitted he's hoping Tampa Bay makes it through the long road stretch.
"I know we're not allowed to root for anybody. But I'm kind of rooting for the Buccaneers through October," he said.
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