|
|
The nationwide tour begins the second week of the season when the Browns host the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 8:15 p.m. on NBC television. Their first of three Monday night games is at home against the Giants Oct. 13. The game will be played the week following the Browns' bye.
The Browns will host the Broncos at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, on the NFL Network (the game will be telecast locally by a station yet to be named) and then play at Buffalo on Monday, Nov. 17.
The 11-day hiatus between games is almost like having a second bye. Their final Monday night game is Dec. 15 at Philadelphia. All Monday night games are on ESPN beginning at 8:30 p.m.
''Its always an exciting time of year when the league announces the regular-season schedule,'' Coach Romeo Crennel said in a statement released by the Browns. ''Our schedule presents us with many challenges against a number of talented teams. However, we will continue to work hard throughout the offseason to prepare for the 2008 season.
''Today, we are excited for our fans, the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization that we will have to the opportunity to be showcased in front of a national audience on several occasions.''
For comparison, the Patriots also play five prime time games, but they are featured on Monday Night Football only once -- a home game against the Broncos Oct. 20. They host the Jets on NFL Network Nov. 13 and play on Sunday night three times.
Likewise, the Colts play five night games, and like the Patriots they play on Monday night once, the NFL Network once and Sunday night three times. In one of those games the Colts host New England on Nov. 2.
The Cowboys play only once on Monday, once on Thursday, once on Saturday and twice on Sunday in night games.
The Steelers play on Monday night twice, Sunday night twice and Thursday once. Three of their prime-time games are on the road -- against the Browns, Jaguars (Oct. 5) and Redskins (Nov. 3). They host the Ravens (Sept. 29) and Bengals (Nov. 20) in night games.
The Super Bowl champion Giants' only Monday night appearance is the game they play in Cleveland Browns Stadium. They kickoff the 2008 season in a game against the Redskins on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. They play two Sunday night games.
Thus, the Browns will be featured in prime time more often than the Super Bowl champions. The attention the Browns are receiving is a tribute to their success of last year, an exciting offense and marquee names such as Kellen Winslow Jr., Braylon Edwards, Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis and newly acquired defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.
In a quirk in the schedule, the Browns will open the season at home for the 10th straight time. They have opened at home every year since being back in the NFL and won only one of those games. Their opponent this year is the Dallas Cowboys, the favorite to win the NFC East, at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 7.
Last year three of the first four games were against AFC North foes - all at home. After facing the Cowboys the Browns go on a string of division opponents again, only this time, after hosting the Steelers, they play in Cincinnati Sept. 21 and in Baltimore Sept. 28. They host Baltimore Nov. 2 and close out the season at home against the Bengals Dec. 21 and in Pittsburgh Dec. 28.
The Browns will not look ahead, but that game in Pittsburgh could loom large, especially if they do not break the jinx in the nationally televised game Sept. 14.
The Browns have lost nine straight to Pittsburgh. Crennel has said if the Browns do not beat the Steelers, they probably will not win the AFC North.
jschudel@News-Herald.com
