Cleveland Browns Preseason Kicks-Off Thursday: How To Watch

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns fans have always been known for their (often misguided) optimism. Heading into the 2019 season, there are many signs of legitimate hope for the franchise.

The enthusiasm for the Browns is at an all-time high. More than 37,000 fans crammed into FirstEnergy for a practice scrimmage over the weekend. Clips of quarterback Baker Mayfield drinking a beer at the Indians game become immensely popular on social media. Orange T-shirts have been in abundance over the summer. The first test of all that hope and optimism will meet its first barrier this week.

The first game of the preseason will be played Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns will take on the visiting Washington Redskins. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.

Details for the upcoming game are below:

What: Game 1 of the NFL Preseason

Who: Washington Redskins vs Cleveland Browns

Where: FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland

When: Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m.

How to Watch: News 5

How to Listen: 92.3 the Fan, ESPN 850, 98.5 WNCX, and La Mega 87.7 FM

There are plenty of sinewy ties between the Browns and Redskins. Former Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy plays for Washington, so does The Ohio State University quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Washington's badly injured quarterback Alex Smith was a longtime player under Browns general manger John Dorsey.

Still, Browns fans will most want to see Mayfield take a few snaps and possibly throw a pass in the direction of newly acquired wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Maybe Thursday night will be the start of Browns fans finally getting what they want.