An unlikely MLB playoff run is reportedly causing some major scheduling issues for the NFL heading into Weeks 5 and 6 of the regular season.
Coming into the year, few had the Seattle Mariners as the favorites to come out of the AL West — or even to qualify for the postseason for that matter. But a historic, MVP-worthy campaign from catcher Cal Raleigh has put Roger Goodell and Co. in quite the bind when it comes to the neighboring Seahawks’ schedule.
Advertisement
As ESPN‘s Adam Schefter points out: “Both of the Seahawks’ next two home games — Oct. 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oct. 20 versus the Houston Texans for ‘Monday Night Football’ — are on evenings when the Mariners could be hosting playoff games.”
Meaning, changes could be on the way for the 3-1 ‘Hawks.
Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; General view of Lumen Field before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images© Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Seattle not able to ‘support’ both games being played
In a piece published to ESPN.com, the NFL insider reported that the league is potentially looking into shifting one or potentially both of the Seahawks’ home kickoffs to start the upcoming month.
Advertisement
“The infrastructure of the area surrounding the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park and the Seahawks’ Lumen Field — which are practically next door to each other, a mere one-tenth of a mile apart — is not designed to support two games played at the same time and would create logistical issues that include a chaotic traffic situation along with overcrowding,” Schefter began.
“Therefore, if the two games in Seattle wind up being scheduled for the same time — a decision that Major League Baseball must first make — changes to the Seahawks’ schedule might have to be made.”
Adding, “MLB officials are not expected to decide until Friday when the Mariners will start their AL Division Series next Sunday in Seattle. … If the Mariners also are scheduled to play at the same time, the Seahawks could push back their kickoff anywhere from 90 to 150 minutes, according to Seattle officials.”
Advertisement
Fans react to the wild scheduling conflict
“Seahawks surprised that Mariners actually made the playoffs LMFAOOO,” a user laughed.
“They should just push the Seahawks game to Monday night… Two MNF games…” another pointed out.
“I used to pray for times like these,” a Mariners fan account commented.
“First time we’ve had this issue in forever 🙏 Good problem!!” Sami On Tap replied.
“Game 7 of the ALCS and Monday Night Football simultaneously would be the greatest traffic and logistical nightmare of all time. I genuinely think it would be worse than the World Cup next year,” a local shared.
Advertisement
The Mariners have made the playoffs just one time since 2001 — when the franchise tied the all-time record for most wins in a season (116) but got bounced in five games in the ALCS by the New York Yankees.
That season also featured a breakout performance from an unlikely source when Gold Glove second baseman Bret Boone batted a career-high .331 with 37 home runs and 141 RBI on the way to a third-place finish in MVP voting behind teammate and Rookie of the Year Ichiro Suzuki and Oakland’s Jason Giambi.
Advertisement
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.