The release of the NFL schedule is one of the most drawn-out, over-hyped things in the sports calendar, but lately teams have been making it fun by releasing incredibly elaborate schedule hype videos.
We’ve seen great ones in the past, but nothing like 2020. Kudos to these teams for making us legitimately laugh — a feat almost impossible for any team marketing campaign.
No. 1: Detroit Lions, “Animal Crossing”
Big shout out to @animalcrossing for holding it down while we wait for football season. #animalcrossingnewhorizons #acnh #animalcrossing pic.twitter.com/RcvUKq91Cb
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 8, 2020
Admittedly I’m biased because I’ve been playing a stupid amount of Animal Crossing: New Horizons during stay-at-home orders, but this one really hit everything you could want. Anyone who has played the game understands the amount of work it took not only to set up the scenarios, but edit the video to change text, art and music — all while feeling in place inside the world.
I also deeply identified with the concept of burying a bear in a deep hole thanks to my own personal feud my bear islander, Pinky.
#AnimalCrossing #ACNH #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/euRC6oFb8j
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 7, 2020
No. 2: Carolina Panthers, “Bored in the house.”
Bored in the house but counting the days until our Sunday Best pic.twitter.com/vlAcmdei4V
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 7, 2020
Rather than a single, hyper-cohesive theme like the Lions, the Panthers went for a broader approach to how we’re all handing being stuck in the house. This really struck a chord and was meme-filled enough that we’ll remember in for a while.
No. 3: Denver Broncos, “Full House”
You wanted the schedule?
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 7, 2020
You got it, dude. pic.twitter.com/qxRtusUVGJ
If you make a Full House parody and do it even slightly well you’re going to rank high on my list. Those are the rules.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans, “Titan Man.”
Titan Man climbs Mount Olympus to bring you the 2020 Titans schedule presented by @PapaJohnsNash
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 7, 2020
: Watch @nflnetwork at 7 PM (CT) pic.twitter.com/26uGHb2JXX
This might have taken the most work in the entire league. Animating everything is a difficult enough task, but nailing the 80s Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic is tough to pull off, and the Titans aced it.
No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars, “2007 internet”
MEOWAHAHAHAHAHA@McGowansHVAC | More: https://t.co/m2vC0iZMsc pic.twitter.com/ebEVCzPb6d
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) May 7, 2020
I hate this so much I grew to like it. Sometimes you have to appreciate the hits when it comes to old-school meme culture.