DaytonDailyNews.com

Talk about making a splash. The Cleveland Browns are about to do a big ol' belly whopper.

They'll shower the airwaves with a franchise-record five national prime-time games in 2008. Toss in a preseason Monday nighter at the New York Giants (Aug. 18) on ESPN, and that makes six.

NFL schedules were released Tuesday, April 15.

"We are excited for our fans, the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization that we will have the opportunity to be showcased in front of a national audience on several occasions," coach Romeo Crennel said.

The "Fab Five" prime-time affairs — three Monday Night (ESPN) games, and one each on Sunday (NBC) and Thursday (NFL Network) — shatters the club's previous mark of three in 1988 and '89.

The Cincinnati Bengals face a tough early test with four of the first six games on the road and four of the first seven against 2007 playoff teams.

The Bengals' only regular-season night game will be at Pittsburgh on Thursday, Nov. 20 — a week before Thanksgiving. The NFL Network game will be simulcast by a local Cincinnati station to be determined.

"We know the challenges right from the start," coach Marvin Lewis said. "We have a division opponent on the road (Baltimore), the home opener against a young playoff team in Tennessee, and then (a road game against) the defending world champions (New York Giants)."

Browns after dark

Sunday, Sept. 14: PITTSBURGH (NBC), 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 13: N.Y. GIANTS (ESPN), 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6: DENVER (NFL Network), 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 17: at Buffalo (ESPN), 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 15: at Philadelphia (ESPN), 8:30 p.m.

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