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NFL Power Rankings 14.0: Are the Browns real Super Bowl contenders?
USA TODAY Sports’ Ralphie Aversa breaks down the latest NFL power rankings.
For the first time in its pandemic-challenged 2020 season, the NFL is making a scheduling change for the sole purpose of providing a better product in its premier broadcast window.
The league announced Wednesday that the Cleveland Browns’ visit to the New York Giants on Dec. 20 – Week 15 – would flex into NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” slot while the originally scheduled contest between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys moves to 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Browns (9-3), who have already clinched their first winning season since 2007, are closing in on their first playoff berth since 2002. Their 18-year postseason absence is currently the league’s longest.
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Meanwhile, the Giants (5-7) have won four in a row, recovering from an 0-5 start, and now sit atop the NFC East. Washington has the same record but is technically chasing New York, which swept the Football Team.
Both the Cowboys and Niners, flagship franchises who typically draw huge TV ratings and enjoy one of the league’s storied rivalries, are off the pace in the NFC’s playoff chase.
It was also revealed that the winless Jets will play the Rams at 4:05 p.m. on Fox. That game was originally listed with a “TBD” designation when the 256-game regular-season schedule was released earlier this year. The NFL previously chose Bills at Broncos (4:30 p.m.) and Panthers at Packers (8:15 p.m.), also initially designated “TBD,” to play on Saturday Dec. 19.
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