With no live sports from the COVID-19 pandemic, the release of NFL schedules has become a bigger event. Let’s see if the Browns will land any prime time games in 2020.
After years of limited prime time exposure, the Cleveland Browns landed four prime time slots in the 2019 season. The thrill of rookie Baker Mayfield leading a charge for the playoffs in 2018, plus the offseason additions of Odell Beckham, Olivier Vernon, and Sheldon Richardson had the media buzzing.
While the Browns would go 2-2 in prime time last season, they barely defeated a depleted New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers team. The remainder of the season would not go as planned, finishing the season with a disappointing 6-10 record.
The Browns have been major players in free agency once again and were graded highly by many experts for their 2020 draft picks. Will the NFL buy into the Believeland hype once again, or will the Browns see limited action in prime time once again? The Browns have a much easier slate of teams in 2020 compared to 2019, which could limit opportunities, but networks know Mayfield and Beckham will always draw a crowd. Fans will know for certain at 8 p.m. tonight, but let’s make some early predictions on possible prime time games for the Browns in 2020.
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Dallas Cowboys
The Browns will play each team in the NFC East this year, including the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants on the road. Many have speculated this could be a Thanksgiving Day game between Mayfield and Dak Prescott. One issue that could hold this scenario up is a shortened season. There have been reports that the first four weeks of the season could be AFC vs. NFC in case the season would need to be shortened. If that is the case, look for this game to be earlier in the season and likely on the 4 p.m. block of games.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the better Thursday night games last season, until the ending that is. The NFL has done a much better job of trying to keep these games watchable, after offering terrible matchups initially. Look for Browns vs. Steelers to be a great Thursday night matchup in early November as the rivalry is stronger than ever.
Baltimore Ravens
Currently, many are picking the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North with a split party on the Browns or Steelers finishing second. Given the roster the Browns have, look for this to be a Sunday or Monday night game late in the season with hopes it settles the division winner. This game could initially be a 1 p.m. game, with the ability to get flexed based on the situation.
Philadelphia Eagles
Not many teams get more love than the Philadelphia Eagles when it comes to prime time games. With the Washington Redskins and New York Giants being in rebuild mode within their division, this feels like a possible Sunday or Monday night game. Fans love Carson Wentz and it would be a revenge game for Andrew Berry facing his old club.
There are four options listed above, but with Tom Brady now in the NFC South and the NFC West having the most dominant division in the NFL, there is a possibility of less prime time options for the Browns. While having less prime time games is a bummer, an easier schedule is always welcomed which is the case for 2020.