Browns Dealt Primetime Schedule Disrespect
The Cleveland Browns accomplished their second divisional upset of the season when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19, on Thursday night.
Even with the big win, the Browns' playoff chances are extremely low with six games remaining at 3-8. The Browns are not the only AFC North team that has struggled this season, as the Cincinnati Bengals are 4-7 prior to their bye week.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett
Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Due to both team's slim playoff chances, the NFL made the rare decision to flex the Browns and Bengals' Week 16 "Thursday Night Football" matchup to the 1 p.m. window on Sunday. Their matchup will be replaced by the divisional affair between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, who are both currently in the playoffs based on current league standings.
This is the first time in league history that a Thursday night game has been flexed. It will surely cause some controversy, as the Broncos and Chargers will now have less time to prepare and rest for their matchup than they previously expected to.
Meanwhile, the flex will have the opposite effect on the Browns and Bengals, who will have more time to rest and recover after their Week 15 games. With how the rest of their schedule currently stands, the Browns are set to have one more primetime matchup, which is a Week 17 "Sunday Night Football" game against the Miami Dolphins.
If the Dolphins' playoff chances are greatly reduced in the coming weeks, there's a chance that the league will decide to flex that matchup as well.
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