News 5 airing exciting Browns games from past seasons (8.28.20)
For Immediate Release
Aug. 28, 2020
BEREA, Ohio – Following the cancellation of all preseason games due to health and safety protocols in place, per the NFL-NFLPA’s joint agreement, the Cleveland Browns and flagship TV partner News 5 received the special ability to air three regular season Browns games from past years prior to the 2020 season. This marks the first time that the Browns and its exclusive TV partner can broadcast games from the team’s and NFL Films’ archives on a local over-the-air network.
“While there are no preseason games this year, we are thrilled to provide Browns fans this unique opportunity to relive memorable games and moments from past seasons,” said Haslam Sports Group Chief Revenue Officer/Chief Marketing Officer Mike Mossholder. “Along with Building the Browns and Browns Countdown, we look forward to continuing to offer fans exceptional programming on News 5 that provides them more access to the team as excitement continues to build for the upcoming season.”
“These games are a great complement to the Training Camp Special that just aired and the upcoming Season Preview Show,” said Steve Weinstein, Vice President and General Manager of News 5. “We are proud to be the official partner of the Browns and the place fans can turn to for exclusive programming all season long.”
Past Browns games featured on News 5:
Browns claim 2002 playoff berth after 24-16 home win over the Falcons
Noon ET, Saturday, Aug. 22
Last Saturday, Browns fans tuned into News 5 and watched an exciting 24-16 win that resulted in the team’s most recent playoff berth following the final game of the 2002 season. In front of a packed FirstEnergy Stadium, rookie RB William Green rushed for 178 yards on 27 carries (6.6 avg.) with two TDs, including a thrilling 64-yard run with 3:53 to play in the fourth quarter that helped seal the Browns’ victory and playoff spot.
Cleveland defeats New York Giants 35-14 at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2008
8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 29
This Saturday night, News 5 will showcase the Browns’ 35-14 home victory over the New York Giants on Oct. 13, 2008. QB Derek Anderson passed for 310 yards with two TDs and no interceptions for 121.3 passer rating, while RB Jamal Lewis carried 21 times for 88 yards (4.2 avg.) with a 4-yard TD. To cap the win, CB Eric Wright intercepted NY Giants QB Eli Manning midway through the fourth quarter and took it 94-yards for the game’s final score.
2018 No. 1 overall pick QB Baker Mayfield makes NFL debut and leads Browns to 21-17 primetime win over the New York Jets, the team’s first victory since 2016
Time/Date TBD, to air during week of Sept. 5
During a primetime Thursday night game at FirstEnergy Stadium, QB Baker Mayfield made his NFL debut at the end of the first half and propelled the team to a 21-17 win after trailing 14-0. Mayfield, who completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards, also converted an exhilarating two-point conversion in the third quarter on a pass from WR Jarvis Landry, who paced all receivers with eight catches for 103 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Mayfield directed a 15-play, 85-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard TD run by RB Carlos Hyde that provided Cleveland a four-point advantage with 2:04 remaining. In the game’s waning moments, CB Terrance Mitchell recorded his first interception with the Browns, picking off New York Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold to thwart a last-minute comeback attempt as Cleveland claimed its first win since Christmas Eve of 2016.
Additionally, the Browns and News 5 continue to produce compelling content for fans leading into the 2020 season through Building the Browns, presented by University Hospitals and Browns Countdown. At 11:30 a.m. each Sunday from Aug. 16-Sept. 6, the partnership delivers special behind-the-scenes access to fans throughout Northeast Ohio and the world during the two-time Emmy Award winning docu-series Building the Browns. On Tuesday Sept. 8 at 8 p.m., the Browns and News 5 will host a special season preview edition of Browns Countdown, presented by Serpentini Chevrolet. Every Sunday prior to all of Cleveland’s regular seasons games, Browns fans can also catch Browns Countdown, presented by Elk & Elk, on News 5.
This past February, the Browns and News 5 announced a long-term agreement to extend their partnership, established in 2015 when News 5 became the team’s official flagship TV station for preseason games and exclusive year-round programming.
Last season, Browns preseason games airing on News 5 posted a 20.5 average Nielsen household rating in the region, the sixth-highest such figure among NFL markets.
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