The fact that the Ravens-Steelers matchup originally scheduled for Thanksgiving is being played on a Wednesday would seem a little more out of place any other year. In 2020, though, it just seems par for the course.
People have seemingly grown accustomed to chaos this year. There is a good chance that this kind of rescheduling would have resulted in an angry outcry from fans most other years. However, NFL fans seem to be taking this in stride. In fact, many have taken to Twitter to make jokes about the strange scheduling of the game.
Why Was the Ravens-Steelers Game Rescheduled?
The reason for rescheduling the game is, in short, about the same as the reason for most of the chaos this year: COVID-19. The Baltimore Ravens experienced a rash of positive coronavirus tests. While the team will have enough to play this afternoon, they are severely shorthanded. Most of their starters are out due to COVID-19. The Ravens will meet the undefeated Steelers with their backup QB taking snaps from their third-string center.
The Ravens-Steelers matchup was originally set to be played on Thanksgiving. The game was moved to Sunday then to Tuesday evening. Finally, it seems that the game will take place later this afternoon. It will air starting at 3:40 pm on NBC. The game would have been scheduled for Wednesday night but NBC will be broadcasting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting.
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest nights of the year for the NFL and afternoon games are almost unheard of.
Fans React to the Wednesday Afternoon Game
Fans took to Twitter to make jokes about the odd scheduling of the Ravens-Steelers game.
Who’s ready for Sunday Night Football’s special Thanksgiving presentation of Sunday afternoon football on NBC’s Tuesday evening primetime schedule kicking off Wednesday afternoon at 3:40 EST? #Ravens #RavensFlock
— Ravens Numbers (@RavensNumbers) December 2, 2020
That RGIII will likely throw a pass to Dez Bryant for the #Ravens in a game that’s played at 3:40 p.m. on a Wednesday is extremely 2020. #RavensFlock #ravensvssteelers
— Joseph Deinlein (@JDeinleinHM) December 2, 2020
Some fans suggested some new lyrics for the Sunday Night Football theme while making light of the situation.
@carrieunderwood @SNFonNBC here you can use these lyrics
— Phillip Gary (@PhillipGary8) December 2, 2020
Alright Wednesday Day where are you?
Waiting for the game that leads red, white and blue
You want some football?
We want it too
Hey Jack, it’s a fact, the show’s back in town
Steelers and ravens in the next outbreak
Really need Carrie Underwood to sing “Waiting all day for Wednesday afternoon” to make this perfect. https://t.co/lkW2k8LBj8
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 2, 2020
Another fan made light of the scheduling from a different angle.
The Right says there’s a war on Christmas in America but NBC decided to air a Christmas tree lighting instead of an NFL game 🤔
— I am not JCVD. I am 7 possums in a trench coat. (@_possumcore) December 2, 2020
One tweet skipped the jokes and dropped some interesting historical stats.
Since 1925, there have been 40 @NFL games played on a Wednesday. Today’s game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore will be only the second time since 1948. https://t.co/QIwlckQPQS
— John Deardurff (@SQLMCT) December 2, 2020
