Buccaneers-Dolphins Game Moved Due to Irma

Hurricane Irma, a record Category 5 storm, is seen in this NOAA National Weather Service National Hurricane Center image from GOES-16 satellite taken on Sept. 5, 2017. Courtesy NOAA National Weather Service National Hurricane Center/Handout via REUTERS

The season opener between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be moved to Week 11 due to Hurricane Irma.

The NFL chose to move the date rather than relocate the game to a neutral field such as Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.

Now, the game will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 19, which is a bye week shared by the two teams.

Now, each team will have to play 16 straight games without a bye.

According to the Buccaneers’ website, “Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irma on South Florida, the Miami Dolphins home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, originally scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium, will instead be played there in Week 11 on Sunday, November 19.” Week 11 was previously an open date for both clubs.

NOAA