A scheduled week during the National Football League regular season in which a team does not play a game is a “bye week.” This break provides players with an opportunity to rest and recover from the physical demands of the sport. For example, a team with a week 7 bye will play a game in week 6 and then not play again until week 8.
These scheduled breaks are important for several reasons. They allow injured players time to heal, potentially returning to full strength for subsequent games. The break allows coaching staff valuable time to evaluate past performance, adjust strategies, and implement new game plans. Historically, the implementation of these breaks aimed to alleviate the physical toll on players during the rigorous season and to improve the overall quality of play by reducing injuries.