The Browns' four scheduled primetime games this season are the most for the team since '08getty images
The Browns are getting the "star treatment from the NFL and its television partners," as the team has four primetime games on its '19 regular-season schedule, plus two other matchups "slated to be broadcast across the country," according to a front-page piece by Nate Ulrich of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. The four scheduled primetime games are the most for the team since '08. The Browns open at home against the Titans, then see three of their next four games in primetime. The team will visit the Jets in Week 2 on "MNF" in a "nod to the program celebrating its 50th season." It will also mark the return of WR Odell Beckham Jr. to MetLife Stadium after he was traded from the Giants in the offseason (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 4/18). In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot notes fans have been "clamoring" for Beckham, Baker Mayfield and company, and the NFL has "delivered." The Browns "hope to live up to the hype this time" after going 4-12 in '08 after finishing an "expectation-raising" 10-6 the year before (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/18). ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert noted no team has "appeared in fewer prime-time games during the past 10 seasons than the Browns (11)" (ESPN.com, 4/17).
FEEL THE CHANGE: ESPN Radio 850 Cleveland's Tony Grossi writes the NFL schedule-makers have "added fuel to the undeniable feeling that this could be the Browns' year" (ESPNCLEVELAND.com, 4/18). In L.A., Sam Farmer writes, "Four prime-time games for the Baker Mayfield-led Browns. My, how times change" (L.A. TIMES, 4/18). In Toronto, John Kryk writes under the header, "Browns Suddenly An NFL Schedule Darling" (TORONTO SUN, 4/18). In Cleveland, Terry Pluto writes, "More than those who love this team think this team has a chance to be good" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/18).
