The major changes were : Additionally , the arrival of the Texans meant that the league could return to its pre-1999 scheduling format in which no team received a bye during the first two weeks or last seven weeks of the season . From 1999 to 2001 , at least one team sat out each week ( including the preseason ) because of an odd number of teams in the league ( this also happened in 1960 , 1966 , and other years wherein the league had an odd number of teams ) . It nearly became problematic during the previous season due to the September 11 attacks , since the San Diego Chargers had their bye week during the week following 9/11 and the league nearly outright canceled that week ’s slate of games
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
2002 NFL season