NFL COVID-19 double-standard punishes Cleveland Browns, rewards Ravens
By Sam Penix
Valid reasons, not excuses
The NFL had months to observe other professional sports leagues and come up with a good plan to combat the pandemic while playing their season, and they failed to do that well enough. There is clearly a lack of a consistent standard in conduct from team-to-team, and while some benefit from it, others suffer.
Stop rewarding teams for breaking the rules while punishing those who adhere to them. It’s as simple as that. At least give the Browns an extra day to evaluate things and practice with their three receivers.
Flexibility is something the NFL needed to have at the forefront of its 2020 season, but they ended up being flexible only when they chose to be. Why a team was forced to play without a QB, another without any of its WRs, and a third without almost its entire defensive coaching staff is a question the league will have to answer at some point.
Cancellations were not needed in any of these situations, but postponing the game by just a day or two would have been perfectly fine.
Next. Browns lose while forced to play at competitive disadvantage. dark
Alas, Cleveland has never been privy to special treatment by the league, and certainly wasn’t in this case. It’s not just the Browns who have been screwed over this season, but they felt the full brunt of things this week. Now, they’ll be playing for their playoff lives against Pittsburgh.