The New England Patriots will play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 14. But while the Pats are the road team, they will have the advantage of already being in Los Angeles.
New England plays the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13, and will have the good fortune of remaining in the same city during a shortened week.
Apparently, the Rams are frustrated by these scheduling logistics. Whereas the Pats can remain in L.A., the Rams have to travel back home after playing the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13.
Heard the Rams are a little irritated they're away before the Thursday night game vs. Patriots, while New England plays in the Rams' stadium. Patriots will be in their hotel by 6 PT. Rams will be landing around that time. pic.twitter.com/4aTrsznBEW
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) May 8, 2020
The flight from Phoenix to L.A. is hardly a cross-country trek for the Rams. Simultaneously, it is true the Patriots will not even have to worry about traveling or settling in for a short week.
Of course, the Rams (and Chargers) have other logistical concerns.
Both L.A. teams are preparing to play the 2020 season in the brand new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. However, the coronavirus pandemic has provided some complications.
Most teams and owners profit from stadium revenue, from ticket sales to concessions and things of that nature. But building a revenue base becomes much harder without fans in the seats, especially when opening a new stadium.
This is consequential because California Governor Gavin Newsom said he does not envision full stadiums until a vaccine is developed for COVID-19.
The Patriots hardly have any stadium concerns. But they do have uncertainty of their own.
New England is heading into the year with 2018 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham lined up to be Tom Brady's successor at the quarterback position.
Stidham–or Brian Hoyer, should he come out of camp as the starter–will be the first quarterback not named Brady to open a Patriots season since 2001.
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