The NFL has postponed the season-opening game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to safety concerns caused by Hurricane Irma, which is expected to make landfall in Miami this weekend. The game will instead be played in Week 11 on Sunday, Nov. 19.
NFL: Due to Hurricane Irma, the #Dolphins-#Bucs, will instead be played there in Week 11 on Sunday, November 19.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2017
No Dolphins game this weekend. Postponed to Week 11. pic.twitter.com/VmhmBxG5MP
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 6, 2017
Dolphins coach Adam Gase supported the idea of moving the game to a different date earlier this week. "It doesn't matter what week it is," Gase said during a news conference. "If they tell us they changed the game, we'll just go with it."
The Dolphins and Bucs were both scheduled to have a Week 11 bye, allowing the NFL to easily shift the game to that week. Instead, both teams will be off for Week 1 and then will play a game in 16 consecutive weeks.
Other options, such as moving the game up and playing it at a neutral site were reportedly considered, but the teams and the NFL decided on this path instead.
