We know the Cleveland Browns 2020 schedule.
And we know the expectations on new head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
But which games do the legacies of the 2020 Browns ride on?
Let’s explore.
🚨 IT’S HERE! 🚨
Our 2020 schedule » https://t.co/yYn7DjfxdP#WinItTogether pic.twitter.com/1vPeyHQ58F
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 7, 2020
Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns get an early look at new Bengals QB Joe Burrow in Week 2, in the Dawg Pound.
And to top it off, the Browns home opener is in primetime in front of a national audience on Thursday, September 17th on NFL Network.
When we see our home opener is on primetime … pic.twitter.com/zVVWHqHrhI
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 7, 2020
It also comes four days after the Browns open their season in Baltimore against the Ravens.
The Ravens are listed as a 7.5 point favorite by BetMGM in that Week 1 matchup.
Which means like it or not, there’s a good chance the Browns are 0-1 heading into the primetime matchup against Burrow’s Bengals.
It’s a chance to catch Burrow before he’s completely comfortable in the NFL and the Bengals offensive scheme.
It’s a chance for pass-rushers Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon to set the tone for what Burrow should expect when he plays the Browns.
And it’s a chance for the Dawg Pound to welcome Burrow to the league with crowd energy he only saw a handful of times on the road in the SEC.
Week 6 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns outscored the Steelers 34-27 combined in their two matchups in 2019.
While the Browns are entering the season with a new regime and renewed optimism, many wonder about the state of the Steelers.
They are coming off a disappointing 8-8 season, have made no offseason additions of note and star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is entering his age 38 season attempting to return from right elbow surgery.
The anti-Tom Brady:
“Big Ben’s idea of a great off-season workout program is doing one yoga session, playing golf, and drinking some beer.” @JayGlazer
That said, each in last 48 reg season starts:
BR: 94 TDs, 46 INTs, 7.5 YPA, 65% comp
TB: 85 TDs, 27 INTs, 7.4 YPA, 64% comp pic.twitter.com/0iJfwZPgrU— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 6, 2020
We also know of the bad blood between these two franchises following the series of on-field altercations in 2019.
All of this is to say no matter the current standing of each team, this Week 6 matchup in Pittsburgh will be must-see.
Week 14 vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Browns could be anywhere from 8-4 to 4-8 entering Week 14 and the matchup against the Ravens would still be crucial.
The Week 14 game will air on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
There is no flex scheduling with MNF so the Browns are certain to host this game in primetime.
And as it appears now, this Ravens tilt stands as the most difficult remaining game of the Browns season.
The Giants, Jets and aforementioned Steelers remain in Weeks 15-17.
A home game against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens under the lights at FirstEnergy Stadium.
With a potential playoff berth hopefully still in sight.
It checks all of the boxes to be one of the critical games on the Browns 2020 schedule.
Opportunity Arises
Opportunity is the keyword for the 2020 Browns.
They can stall Joe Burrow’s pro career.
They can beat up on an aging Steelers team.
And they can take Lamar Jackson and the AFC favorite Ravens to the brink on Monday Night Football.
The Browns must perform well in these three games in the fall for the opportunity to continue playing in January.
NEXT: Why Did Donovan Peoples-Jones Drop To The Sixth-Round?
