Meaningless Game Opponents Announced

Get excited, football fans! The NFL has made another exciting announcement to get you revved up for a season that may or may not happen!

It's the annual press release announcing each team's preseason opponents! Keep in mind, however, this isn't the announcement of the preseason schedule, only the match-ups. The schedule will be announced at a later date as it's own special proclamation (more and more, I believe I'm right on target when I call the NFL "Masters of Media Hype").

So, who will the Browns be facing in the four meaningless, not-very-exciting, yet just as costly to attend "games" this summer?

Per tradition, the Browns and the Lions will again face off for the Battle of Lake Erie. Sure, it's nice to have this little "rivalry" for the preseason between two teams form bordering states that share the same Great Lake. I get it, it's a great PR stunt.

But, why not give this game more meaning? Ohio and Michigan have been battling each other for decades! The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is, perhaps, the greatest in all of college football. Surely we can bring this same sense of passion to an NFL preseason game.

Perhaps the losing team's state gets Toledo, just like when the two states' militias went to battle over the city back in 1835 ... just an idea. Trying to spruce things up here, people!

Also on the docket this year is reigning Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers. This is just fine if you ask me. Since the Browns will not be facing the Packers in the regular season this year (if there is a season), this preseason game will be the only opportunity the Browns have to continue their streak of knocking off Super Bowl champs (2008 Giants: check, 2009 Steelers: check, 2010 Saints: check).

Another familiar preseason foe this year will be the Chicago Bears. Yes, that's right, the Browns and Bears will meet yet again in the preseason finale — this will be the eight straight year! What a great tradition this is ... how can you not look forward to our second and third string players doing battle with Chicago's second and third string players?

Finally, the Browns fourth preseason opponent will be the Minnesota Vikings. Wait, what? Oh, I'm sorry ... I mean the Philadelphia Eagles. I just figured the Browns were matched up with all four teams in the NFC North — way to throw me a curve ball, Mr. Goodell.

Yes, the Browns will be traveling to the City of Brotherly Love to play some meaningless football against the Eagles. Dare I say it? Yes, I think I will — The Dawgs will be going to Philly to get revenge on Michael Vick for what he's done to dogs (oh, but it's the preseason, so Vick probably won't even play).

So, there you have it. If there is a season, at least we now know who the Browns will face before that season starts.

Go Browns!