The Cleveland Browns have a few days until a very important game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns are fighting among a group of very interesting AFC contenders where no team has been consistent throughout the year.
With 12, out of 16, teams in the conference with a .500 record or better, teams will be paying a lot of attention to the scoreboard over the final eight weeks of the season.
On Thanksgiving, Cleveland fans have two games to focus on:
4:30 PM – Las Vegas at Dallas
The Raiders have had an interesting season on the field and a difficult one off of it. Jon Gruden is no longer the head coach of the team and WR Henry Ruggs was released and currently awaiting trial for a car accident that caused the death of a young woman.
On the field, Las Vegas is 5-5 with early-season wins against Baltimore and Pittsburgh the biggest on their resume. They’ve also lost to Chicago and the New York Giants this year.
Facing the Cowboys on the road is a setup for a loss but, with the way the season has gone, anything is possible.
8:20 PM – Buffalo at New Orleans
The Bills have looked like the best team in the NFL at times and, at others, a team that could struggle to make the playoffs. At 6-4, Buffalo lost the lead in the AFC East to New England. Their lone quality victory came against Kansas City in Week 5. Otherwise, the Bills have feasted on weaker opponents, similar to the Browns.
On the road in New Orleans is often a very difficult place to play for any team. The dome and turf could give QB Josh Allen a chance to make a lot of plays but the Saints defense has some talent to make things difficult.
New Orleans has lost three straight coming into today’s game but, at 5-5, are still squarely in the NFC playoff picture so Thanksgiving’s matchup is important to them.