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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Only six schedules tougher
If this were college football or basketball, the Browns would have a leg up on most of the league in the strength-of-schedule department.
It’s a minefield from opening day at home against the Dallas Cowboys to the final game at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One saving grace, however: Based on last season’s records, nobody in the AFC North has an easier road, and the Steelers’ schedule is the toughest in the league.
Keeping in mind that some of these teams may not be who we think they are (subtle tribute to Dennis Green there), here are the 10 toughest schedules, showing ‘07 winning percentages, wins and losses of this year’s opponents:
Pittsburgh Steelers-.598-153-103
Indianapolis Colts-.594-152-104
Jacksonville Jaguars-.559-143-113
Minnesota Vikings-.551-141-115
Baltimore Ravens-.551-141-115
Tennesee Titans-.551-141-115
Cincinnati Bengals-.547-140-116
Houston Texans-.547-140-116
BROWNS-.547-140-116
Detroit Lions-.543-139-117
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Schedule looks brutal up close
Are the Browns ready for prime time? Somebody thinks so, because they are scheduled for five nationally televised prime-time appearances.
The five prime-time regular-season games are the most ever for the Browns, who haven’t played on national TV since 2006 and haven’t been on Monday night since 2003.
Their three Monday night games are the most since 1988, back when Bernie Kosar was still slinging it to Webster Slaughter. Only once in nine seasons, Dec. 8, 2003, has the new franchise played on Monday night, and it didn’t go so well as Kelly Holcomb threw a couple of damaging interceptions in a 26-20 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
We knew who the Browns would be playing, but to see the ‘08 schedule as a finished product, with times and dates, makes you wonder where the wins are going to come from, doesn’t it? Maybe just a little bit?
OK, so they’ll win their share, but they had better be more than a little bit improved, because there is very little breathing room with this slate, let me tell you.
Should be interesting, though, with all the Monday Night Football appearances, including one at home Oct. 13 against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Plus a Sunday night game and a Thursday game.
Obviously the networks think the Browns are back on the map after last season’s 10-6 record left them a win short of the playoffs.
“It is always an exciting time of year when the league announces the regular-season schedule,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. “We are excited for our fans, the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization that we will have the opportunity to be showcased in front of a national audience on several occasions.”
The closest thing to a breather might be the Nov. 23 home game against Houston. They always seem to beat the Texans, especially at home.
Sun., Sept. 7 vs DALLAS COWBOYS, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 14 vs PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 8:15 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 21 @ Baltimore Ravens, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 28 @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 13 vs NEW YORK GIANTS, 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 19 @ Washington Redskins, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 26 @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 2 vs BALTIMORE RAVENS, 1 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 6 vs DENVER BRONCOS, 8:15 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 17 @ Buffalo Bills, 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 23 vs HOUSTON TEXANS, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 30 vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7 @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 15 @ Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 21 vs CINCINNATI BENGALS, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 28 @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
