In a Disrupted N.F.L., Teams Scramble to Adjust Their Routines

Extra rest can be a bonus, but in a league in which every second is charted and planned, too much time can create its own problems.

Athletes are creatures of habit, but N.F.L. players are in a league of their own. Nearly everything in their busy lives during the season is tightly prescribed: Sleep, meals, practices, training sessions, time in the trainer’s room.

So on Friday, when the N.F.L. bowed to the surge in the number of players testing positive for the coronavirus and moved three weekend games to Monday and Tuesday, it did more than disrupt fans’ television viewing habits.

In addition to the “Monday Night Football” game, the Cleveland Browns are playing the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, after their game on Saturday was moved. Then, on Tuesday night, the Washington Football Team is scheduled to play the Eagles in Philadelphia at the same time the Seattle Seahawks are at the Los Angeles Rams.