On September 17, 1920,15 pioneers met in an Ohio automobile showroom to form what would soon be called the National Football League.
The 2020 Thursday Night Football Presented by Bud Light Platinum season kicks off Thursday, September 17 when 2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals travel to face 2018 No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns in an AFC North divisional matchup at 8:20 PM ET EXCLUSIVELY on NFL Network. Additionally, the NFL marks its 100th birthday on Thursday, having begun on September 17, 1920 with an organizational meeting in Canton, Ohio.
Bengals-Browns will also be available on local broadcast stations in Cincinnati (WKRC) and Cleveland (WEWS). Fans can also stream the game through NFL digital properties across devices (NFL.com and the NFL app), NFL Network distributors' apps and sites, and on phones via Yahoo Sports and the Bengals and Browns mobile properties. Live game audio of Thursday Night Football will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One, and carried on SiriusXM. For a full listing of Thursday Night Football viewing options, fans can visit NFL.com/watch.
FOX Sports' lead play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX Sports' lead analyst Troy Aikman, along with sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink call the action from Cleveland. Additionally, FOX's NFL Rules expert Mike Pereira joins to give explanations on officiating and rules throughout the game.
NFL Network's pregame coverage begins at 3:00 PM ET with TNF First Look hosted by Andrew Siciliano.
At 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network, NFL GameDay Kickoff previews the Bengals-Browns matchup with host Colleen Wolfe and analysts Joe Thomas, Steve Smith Sr. and Michael Irvin.
Among the topics discussed this week on NFL GameDay Kickoff include:
- Michael Irvin sits down with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow
- Steve Smith Sr. and Michael Irvin discuss how Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. can get back on track
- Joe Thomas offers his thoughts on the state of the Cleveland Browns and if quarterback Baker Mayfield can get back to his winning ways
At halftime, Wolfe, Thomas, Smith Sr. and Irvin break down the first half. Immediately following the game, the postgame show airs with Wolfe, Thomas, Smith Sr. and Irvin joined by a star of the game. Additional postgame coverage continues at 12 Midnight ET with NFL Total Access.
