Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during introductions before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns will enter the 2015 season with aspirations of leaving the AFC North basement for the first time in five years.
On Tuesday, the NFL released the season schedule, revealing when the Browns will be playing each week. Most notably is the fact that the Browns will appear twice in primetime this season – a Thursday night game at Cincinnati and a Monday night game at home against Baltimore.
“Except for those two strength-of-schedule crossover games, we’re all playing the same schedule,” head coach Mike Pettine told the team’s website about the Browns’ AFC North rivals. “I think in the NFL, it’s a challenge every week. That’s just something I know our guys are going to look forward to. Those are some good football teams, but we’re planning on being a pretty good football team, ourselves.”
While every game is an event for Browns fans, the following are the five games that standout the most on the 2015 schedule for the Orange and Brown.
Next: The Season Opener
Oct 12, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to pass defended by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and defensive end Quanterus Smith (93) during the third quarter of their NFL football game at MetLife Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Jets 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Week 1: At New York Jets
The Browns have lost 10 consecutive opening games – an NFL record for opening-day futility – and are just 1-14 in season openers since rejoining the NFL in 1999.
This will be the second consecutive year the Browns open on the road, and just the third time since 1999.
A win against the Jets in the season’s first game can set the tone for the early season, especially since the Browns will follow the Jets game with winnable home games against Tennessee and Oakland.
Beat the Jets and suddenly the Browns could be looking at a 3-0 month of September.
Next: Exercising Some Demons
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Week 6: Home to Denver
Because of the history between these two franchises – three AFC Championship Game losses to the Broncos – this game will always mean something to Browns fans.
While the players from those match-ups in the late-’80s are long gone (as is the original Browns franchise), beating the Broncos would be a way for the new Browns to connect, at least spiritually, with the original Browns.
This could also be the last time the Browns have an opportunity to beat Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, who is 5-0 in his career against Cleveland.
Next: The Last Hope?
Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Shaun Hill (14) goes to center during the first half of a football game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Week 6: At St. Louis
We’re not trying to be pessimistic here, but if things start to fall apart for the Browns, the team’s trip to St. Louis on Oct. 25 may be the squad’s best chance for a win in a rough stretch of games.
The Browns face Baltimore and Denver in the two games prior to the Rams and, following the St. Louis game, have to play Arizona and then start their four-game division stretch against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and a return match with the Bengals.
Lose against the Rams and it would be a long, cold winter on the lake front.
Next: Where It All Began
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; The Baltimore Ravens players huddle on the field during a stoppage in play against the New England Patriots in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Week 12: Home to Baltimore
The Browns were the host team for the first Monday Night Football game in 1970, and after a six-year absence they make their return with a home game against the Ravens.
This game marks the third in a four-game stretch of division games the Browns will play, the first time that has happened since 2002.
For the Browns to have a chance to finally stop being the division’s little sibling, they need to start winning consistently within the AFC North Division. Since returning in 1999, the Browns are 27-69 against the Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati, and have never won more than three games in a single season against those teams.
What better time to do that than against a team that has beaten the Browns 13 times in their last 14 meetings?
Next: The Biggest Rival
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws the ball as Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) chases in the second quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Week 17: Home to Pittsburgh
The Browns have won two of the last three in Cleveland against the Steelers, but haven’t won a season-ending game since 2009.
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In addition, the Browns lost their final game of the season to the Steelers in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Winning the last game of the season — and doing it against the team’s biggest rival — puts a positive spin on the season and helps everyone, players, coaches and fans, head into the off-season with a better attitude
Pettine learned that lesson in 2014, when a 7-4 start dissolved into a 7-9 finish after a five-game losing streak. It’s one he and the team are not eager to repeat this year.
Which game or games do you believe are the most important for the Browns in 2015?
Next: Report: Browns Front Runners to Trade Up for Marcus Mariota