On Thursday night the NFL schedules were released. The Cleveland Browns schedule is much easier than 2019, but there are a few pivotal stretches to keep track of.
After playing the entire NFC West last season, the Cleveland Browns are thrilled to move on to the NFC East in 2020. A trip to Jerry World in Dallas and a homecoming for Odell Beckham facing the New York Giants is far better than a trip to San Francisco and Arizona like last season.
No schedule in the NFL is easy, but the Browns have an opportunity to win 10 games if they live up to their potential.
There are two pivotal spots in the schedule, with one being at the very beginning of the season. Let’s hope Kevin Stefanski can get the Browns offense rolling and fans will see more success than 2019.
🚨 IT’S HERE! 🚨
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 7, 2020
Our 2020 schedule » https://t.co/yYn7DjfxdP#WinItTogether pic.twitter.com/1vPeyHQ58F
Pivotal Spot One:
While it’s unfortunate the Browns must go to Baltimore in week one, that game won’t break the season. Yes, it is a likely loss to Baltimore, but the two games following are far more important to the Browns season. With the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins in Cleveland weeks two and three, the Browns MUST win both games.
The Bengals and Redskins picked no. 1 and 2 in the 2020 NFL draft, and if the Browns are going to be playoff contenders, you must be able to beat bad teams. While Joe Burrow could be a strong NFL player, he will still be making rookie mistakes in week two that the Browns must capitalize on. The Redskins also appear to have questions at quarterback and are still in rebuilding mode. The Browns defensive line which failed to meet expectations in 2019, will have a chance to redeem itself and make long days for two young quarterbacks.
After a disappointing week one loss in the division, it will also be a great opportunity to see how connected the team is to Stefanski. Can he get the back on pace and refocused, or will they lay down and allow the Bengals to come into First Energy Stadium and make the Browns 0-2 overall, and in the division? After learning lessons in 2019, and a new culture within the organization, the Browns should easily begin the season 2-1, with a lone loss at Baltimore in week one.
Pivotal Spot Two:
If the Browns live up to expectations, they could easily head into the bye week (wk. 9) with a 6-2 record and only two losses from the Ravens and the Colts or Cowboys. In a prime playoff position, the Browns must be careful coming out of the bye with their toughest back to back games of the season. Luckily both games are at home, but a week 10 matchup vs. the Houston Texans and a week 11 matchup vs. the Philadelphia Eagles could easily result in back to back losses.
The city will be at an all-time high if the Browns are 6-2 heading into the bye, and that could cause the Browns to get a bit cocky. Because these are non-division games, if the Browns do take care of business in the first half of the season, they could technically afford to lose both games. However, back to back loses can create adversity which the Browns need none of in 2020.
People love the NFL and College Football because every game means something, but unfortunately, you still can’t win them all (usually). If the Browns can go 2-2 in these pivotal games, look for them to have a great shot at making the playoffs.
But keep in mind, they MUST beat the Bengals in week two. A loss there could potentially wreck the entire season and put you in a hole too deep to climb out of.