NFL schedule gifts us Cleveland Browns vs. Ravens back-to-back

The AFC North schedule has an odd quirk for the 2021 season, that leaves the Cleveland Browns and Ravens facing off in back-to-back games.

Unlike in years past the Cleveland Browns are the topic of conversation across the NFL, especially in the AFC and the AFC North.

Not only does the schedule contain three primetime games and a Christmas Day game, but the Browns will also be facing off against AFC North division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens in back-to-back games.

This scheduling quirk could lead to an interesting end of the season for both teams, as analysts are predicting a tight divisional race between the two.

The first matchup between the two teams will take place on Sunday Night Football in Week 12. The Browns will travel to Maryland for the first game against the Ravens.

This is where it gets interesting — the Browns then have a week 13 bye and will turn around and face off against the Ravens again in week 14, this time in Cleveland. While the Browns are resting, preparing, and recharging for the second matchup, the Ravens will be preparing for their divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hopefully, Cleveland can use this quirk in the schedule to their advantage, as these late-season division games often prove to be make-or-break games to secure a spot in the postseason.

The back-to-back face-offs will be the first time that the Browns have played regular-season opponents in consecutive games since the 1957 season. This series was split between the Browns and Eagles

However, the 2020 season wrapped up with the Browns beating the Steelers during week 17 and again the following week in the wildcard matchup. So the back-to-back matchups may not be as unfamiliar or uncommon as it seems.