Browns hit with weird scheduling quirk the NFL hasn’t seen in 30 years, plus 10 different schedule oddities

In terms of the NFL schedule, there are all the time some loopy quirks and this 12 months isn’t any totally different. Though the league workplace does its greatest to make all 32 groups completely satisfied, the actual fact of the matter is that making everybody completely satisfied simply is not attainable once you’re placing collectively a schedule that consists of 272 video games. 

Some groups can be completely satisfied concerning the quirks on their schedule whereas loads of different groups will not be. 

So who obtained the craziest quirks? Let’s discover out. 

Probably the most fascinating quirk on the schedule arguably goes to the Cleveland Browns and that is as a result of they will be doing one thing that no NFL crew has carried out in 30 years: They get to play back-to-back video games in opposition to the identical opponent. 

After taking part in in Baltimore in Week 12, the Browns may have a Week 13 bye earlier than taking part in host to the Ravens in Week 14. This marks the primary time since 1991 that an NFL crew has performed back-to-back regular-season video games in opposition to the identical opponent. Thirty years in the past, it was the Chargers and Seahawks who performed one another back-to-back.  

The Jets and Dolphins had been really scheduled to play one another in back-to-back video games final 12 months, however that did not occur as a result of their schedules obtained re-arranged as a result of pandemic. For Cleveland, the two-game stretch in opposition to the Ravens will mark first time since 1957 that the Browns have performed back-to-back video games in opposition to a crew.

Then again, the Ravens will not be taking part in back-to-back video games in opposition to the Browns. Baltimore obtained dealt a harder hand and should play the Steelers in Week 13 whereas the Browns are on their bye. 

Talking of the Ravens, we’ll begin with them as we check out 9 different quirks on the schedule. 

• Dwelling candy house. The Ravens can be taking part in 4 straight house video games in 2021, marking simply the seventh time that is occurred over the previous 30 years (2020 Steelers, 2016 Raiders, Dolphins, Packers, 2015 Titans, 2008 Texans). Of the earlier six groups to play 4 straight house video games, 5 of them went both 4-0 or 3-1 throughout their home-stand. The 2015 Titans are the one crew that did not end above .500 (0-4). 
• Bear down. The Bears do not should play consecutive highway video games at any level this season. This marks simply the fourth time since 2010 that is occurred. The excellent news for the Bears is that within the three earlier cases (2019 Ravens, 2013 Packers, 2012 Falcons), all three groups ended up profitable their division. 
• Washington’s wild end. The Soccer Crew will shut the season with 5 straight video games in opposition to division opponents. To place that in perspective, solely three different groups will even play 4 division opponents over the ultimate 5 weeks (Cowboys, Eagles, Panthers). This marks the first time since 1995 {that a} crew should shut the season with 5 straight division video games (The 1995 Buccaneers went 1-4 over their five-game divisional stretch and fell out of the playoff race).
• Tough highway to start out the season. There are solely 4 groups within the NFL who should play their first TWO video games on the highway and people groups are: The Cowboys, Broncos, Vikings and 49ers. 
• Tough highway to finish the season. On the alternative finish of the spectrum, there are solely two groups that shut the season with two straight highway video games and people two groups are the Chiefs and Panthers. 
• Bye, bye, bye. The Patriots are going through three groups that can be coming off a bye this 12 months, which is probably the most within the NFL. That is not excellent since groups can be getting further relaxation and preparation time previous to taking part in New England. On the flip aspect, the Panthers can be going through zero groups coming off a bye. 
• Monday shut out. The Broncos weren’t given a Monday night time sport this 12 months, marking the primary time since 1991 that that is occurred. Heading into 2021, the Broncos had the longest lively streak of consecutive seasons with a Monday sport. 
• Fly Eagles Fly. Not solely do the Eagles have the best energy of schedule this 12 months, however they do not should play a single highway sport this season in opposition to a crew that had a profitable file final 12 months. As a matter of reality, of the Eagles’ 17 opponents in 2021, solely three of them had a profitable file in 2020. Additionally, the Eagles will not be flying a lot as they will not should get on a airplane for the remainder of the season following their Nov. 14 sport (Week 10) at Denver. 
• Thirsty Thursday. It is beginning to look like the NFL is attempting to completely transfer each Cowboys sport to a Thursday. By means of the primary 13 weeks of the season, the Cowboys can be taking part in three Thursday video games. The three Thursday video games is tied for probably the most any crew has performed in a season since 2000 (2019 Bears and 2000 Lions additionally performed three Thursday video games). 

Though we have attain our 10 quirk restrict, we have determined to throw in a BONUS QUIRK and it has to do with bye weeks. 

Week 14 bye. The Colts, Dolphins, Eagles, Patriots all landed a Week 14 bye, which is notable for 2 causes. First, it is the newest scheduled bye any crew has been given because the NFL expanded to 32 groups in 2002. Second, the Buccaneers had the newest bye week final 12 months they usually went on to win the Tremendous Bowl, which might be excellent news for the one of many 4 groups right here. Additionally, if the loopy bye week development beneath holds, that implies that both the Colts, Dolphins, Eagles or Patriots can be profitable Tremendous Bowl LVI. 

There are additionally a number of different scheduling notes that are not actually quirks, however are most likely value mentioning. Beginning in Week 2, the Cowboys play eight straight video games in opposition to groups that completed underneath .500 final 12 months. The Steelers and Panthers each shut the season with 4 straight video games in opposition to groups that made the playoffs final 12 months. For Pittsburgh, meaning video games in opposition to the Titans, Chiefs, Browns and Ravens. For Carolina, meaning video games in opposition to the Payments, Saints and Buccaneers twice. 

Additionally, when the Chargers face Washington in Week 1, it can mark simply the fourth-time ever that the reigning offensive rookie of the 12 months (Justin Herbert) has performed in opposition to the reigning defensive rookie of the 12 months (Chase Younger) in a season-opener.