Jimmy G is Out, Baker is In, And The NFL Primetime Schedule Is Due For a Major Shake-Up
Now before we get into too much discussion, let’s first go over the rules and regulations of the NFL’s flex scheduling policy, because it is important to always have the facts before giving your take in regards to sports.
NFL Flex Scheduling:
– Begins in Week 5 and runs through Week 17
– Each team may be flexed twice between Weeks 5-10
– Your game must be scheduled on a Sunday to be flexed to Sunday night
Ok, cool. So the NFL pre-establishes what they feel will be the most intriguing game to put in the Sunday night slot, but they reserve the right to change it if necessary. Let’s take a look at what Roger Goodell and the NFL schedule makers determined before the year as some of the best games on the schedule, starting with Weeks 5-10 when teams may appear twice.
Talk about a snoozefest, right? I mean, I guess I see what the league was doing before the year, but 3 weeks in and we can see that some of these games will be less exciting than watching paint dry. Are we really going to gather around and watch the 1-2 Patriots TWICE in four weeks? Okay, I’m kidding. This is a serious blog. Chiefs vs. Pats and Packers vs. Patriots have to be locks. Those are good games. Throw in the Cowboys and Eagles in Week 10, too. That’s a good rivalry in two great NFL markets. But aside from those, Weeks 5, 7, and 8 leave little to be desired. Let’s check in with the Browns schedule in those weeks.
I guess the best way to do this would be on a game by game basis. Chronological order good for everyone?
Week 5: Cowboys vs. Texans OR Browns vs Ravens
I’m a realist and definitely not a homer. This is not a no-brainer. But I could definitely see Bakermania being a better draw on a Sunday night than the 0-3 Texans and the 1-2 Cowboys. You know what, I’ve talked myself into it. This will be Baker’s first start in Cleveland, and I think the Browns handle their business against the Raiders this weekend, meaning they’ll be 2-1-1 and possibly atop the division. The NFL is going to milk Baker and the lovable losers that the Browns are for all they are worth. I could definitely see Goodell making the call to flex the Browns into the Sunday Night slot on the very first possible week.
Week 7: Rams vs. 49ers OR Browns vs. Bucs
I can tell you right now that barring a certain Nike sponsored quarterback resigning with the 49ers, there is a 0% chance that this football game remains in primetime. The 49ers new sex appeal after the Jimmy G injury is lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut. The only problem here is that the Bucs are kind of lame, too. If the Browns can only be flexed twice between Weeks 5-10, this is definitely their least intriguing game. Maybe if the Cowboys get flexed out of Week 5, then they bump into this night’s slot against the Redskins? That’s actually a really good idea Remind me when I’m done with this to write to Roger.
Week 8: Saints vs. Vikings OR Browns vs. Steelers
Not a terrible matchup as it is currently constructed, in fact, it’s probably the best of the three options I am questioning. I would have no problem with this game staying, but if things shake out how I think they will, the NFL cannot keep Baker out of primetime vs. the Steelers in Week 8. The Steelers have been the class of the AFC North for as long as I can remember, and Baker is looking to take their seat on the throne. Toss in the circus surrounding the Steelers these days, and the electrifying Baker Mayfield will not be kept off television in a game like this.
Prediction: Browns get flexed once between Weeks 5-10.
Next, let’s take a look at Weeks 11-17, where not only will the markets and players be factors in the scheduling, the playoff implications will also now be a huge factor. Here’s the Sunday Night schedule if everything holds firm.
Pretty good matchups overall. Week 13’s contest between the 49ers visiting the Seahawks will be booted immediately, though. Other than that, it would probably take a playoff contending Browns team to bump any of these matchups out of their slot. Well, I guess the Steelers and Seahawks records right now do not warrant late season primtetime games, either. Weeks 11, 13, 14, 16, and 17 would all be up for grabs in that case. Let’s look at the Browns schedule once again.
Week 11: Steelers vs. Jaguars OR Browns on a Bye
Gotta side with the Steelers here. See, I’m not a complete homer.
Week 13: 49ers vs. Seahawks OR Browns vs Texans
Neither one of these games seems like a primetime matchup to me, especially with the Texans being 0-3 right now. Even a contending Browns team probably doesn’t get bumped to Sunday Night if they’re going up against a bottom feeder. If Fitzmagic continues, maybe Bucs and Panthers slide in here? Or Vikings and Patriots? Pretty weak week all around.
Week 14: Steelers vs. Raiders OR Browns vs. Panthers
The Steelers and Raiders seem like a great candidate for a 4:25 game, as a Week 14 matchup featuring a 2-12 Oakland team is not exciting for anyone outside of their home city. Wait, even their home city won’t watch them anymore. To fill the void, Baker Mayfield and Cam Newton are two of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the sport right now. If their records coincide with a potential playoff push, this game will be a must see for the entire country.
Week 16: Chiefs vs. Seahawks OR Browns vs. Bengals
The Chiefs are 3-0 and look like potentially the best team in all football. If the Seahawks become contenders by Week 16, this game will stay in place. The high-powered Kansas City offense vs. the vaunted Seahawks defense in Seattle would generate a great deal of buzz throughout the week. Even if the Seahawks record doesn’t pan out, don’t expect to see the Browns bumped to Sunday Night in Week 16. I know the Bengals are in 1st in the AFC North right now, but I have to imagine that the standings will change in the next three months. Falcons vs. Panthers or Steelers vs. Saints could fill in nicely if there is an opening here.
Week 17: No Game Scheduled
Last year, the NFL announced that from a competitive standpoint, the best decision for both the teams and the fan bases was to forgo Sunday Night Football in Week 17 and to play all games at either 1:00 or 4:25. I would assume that the same would happen this year, unless one game turns out to be a winner-take-all. If the Browns and Ravens are playing to win the AFC North, with no other implications from the other games, the league would have to move them to primetime.
Prediction: Browns are either in the playoff hunt and get bumped twice, or they’re not and don’t get bumped at all.
Regardless of what happens record-wise, there is no doubt that the up and coming Browns naming Baker Mayfield their starter has made them one of the main attractions of the NFL. Their one primetime game has passed, and the money grubbing NFL cannot pass up another opportunity to get ratings like they did this past Thursday. Cleveland fans should not write any Sunday Night events on their calendar in pen just yet. I think the rest of the country is about to see a whole lot more of the Browns.