NFL Rumors: Los Angeles, Dallas Among Cities Being Considered to Host Playoff Bubbles

Los Angeles, California, and Dallas, Texas, are reportedly among the cities being considered to host neutral-site bubbles beginning in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Los Angeles and Dallas are among the metro areas being considered to host neutral-site bubbles beginning in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones and Daniel Kaplan. 

The NFL is reportedly continuing to explore the possibility of creating bubble environments to hold postseason games this season. Forming bubbles for all 32 teams during the regular season is not under consideration due to logistics, per The Athletic. 

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., are some of the reported potential options to host postseason bubbles due to the hotel space and climate in the areas. The NFLPA would have to approve of any bubble plan. 

Allowing for neutral sites in the postseason would help to avoid the rescheduling of games due to positive COVID-19 tests. Recently, the NFL has had to reschedule multiple games largely due to the COVID-19 outbreak among the Tennessee Titans and various cases around the league. 

A potential scenario being discussed for the postseason would be for wild-card games to be played as normal and the divisional round and conference championship games held in neutral-site bubbles. The model is similar to how MLB has held its postseason.

Keep up with the latest news and rumors around the NFL.

• WR Michael Thomas was suspended by the Saints more because he talked back to coaches, including Sean Payton, after the fight with C.J. Gardner-Johnson rather than the altercation itself. (Jeff Duncan, The Athletic)
• The Jets are trying to trade RB Le'Veon Bell ahead of the deadline. (Manish Mehta, NY Daily News)
• Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is not expected to play against the Falcons in Week 6 ahead of the team's bye week after suffering an adductor strain. (Chad Graff, The Athletic) 
• The Titans are set to host the Bills on Tuesday night for their Week 5 matchup after no new positive COVID-19 cases were found from the latest round of testing. (Albert Breer, SI)
• The NFL updated its COVID-19 protocols to include testing on days games are played. 
• Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says the team will "have to see" about QB Matt Ryan's future.