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Being 9-3 and a playoff contender this late into the season has its perks.
Today, the NFL announced that the Cleveland Browns’ Week 15 game against the New York Giants has been flexed to Sunday Night Football. The game, originally scheduled for 1:00 PM, will now kick off at 8:20 PM on NBC. It replaces the 49ers vs. Cowboys game that was previously slated for that time slot.
Giants-Browns flexed over 49ers-Cowboys in Week 15...just as we all expected coming into the season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 9, 2020
Since the Browns host the Ravens on Monday Night Football for Week 14, that means that Cleveland will be playing in two consecutive prime time games. The buzz around the Browns may have been building throughout the season, but it was taken to a higher gear on a national scale, thanks to the Browns’ 38-7 first half performance against the Titans. When I listened to all of the national shows, they didn’t give a crap about what happened in the second half — everyone just raved about Baker Mayfield.
If there is one sour note about the Week 15 flex, it’s the fact that Odell Beckham isn’t available to play in it against his former team. The Giants may have a losing record, but they have found a groove, winning four straight games to improve from 1-7 to 5-7, and are now atop the NFC East. Colt McCoy even started for them this past Sunday and won his first game since 2014. For those hoping to face McCoy, though, don’t hold your breath: starter Daniel Jones is expected to be back from injury.