After digesting the schedule for a couple of days I have decided to create my schedule prediction. I am going to break the schedule down into some sections that make sense in my mind. The first will be weeks 1-5. This is easily the lightest part of their schedule. I predict they will go 5-0. However, If they drop one it would not be the end of the world.
- Week 1: vs Cowboys – Win
- The Browns will host the Cowboys in Tom Brady’s debut as a broadcaster. I think the Browns will start the season with a win against the Cowboys. The Browns are 2-0 in their last 2 openers after their horrendous stretch over the last two decades. To continue this streak, the Browns pass defense will have to be much better than their last game in Houston. CJ Stroud shredded our secondary in the playoff loss. The Cowboys did not fair much better against the Packers as Jordan Love gave the Cowboys the same fate. Something to watch is how different will the Cowboys defense be after losing Dan Quinn. He was a massive part of their resurgence in recent years. Also, seeing Trevon Diggs after his season-ending ACL tear last September will be interesting. I would imagine he will be ready for week one, but it usually takes a couple of games to get back to their normal playing style. All the talk leading up to the game will be about Myles Garrett vs. Micah Parsons. What a match-up that will be!
- Week 2: at Jaguars – Win
- The Jags had a monumental collapse to end the season. They went 2-7 in their last 9 games to fall out of the playoffs. There will be pressure on Trevor Lawerance and Doug Peterson to see if they have corrected their issues from last season.
- Week 3: vs. Giants – Win
- To be honest, I don’t know who the Giants quarterback will be in week 3. I doubt Daniel Jones will be back from his ACL injury. It looks like the Browns will face Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. I know jobs are on the line but I’m not sure the Giants actually want to win this year. They are best suited to get a top-5 pick next year and draft a new QB. Also, no Saqaun Barkley. The defense should dominate; must win for the Browns.
- Week 4: at Raiders – Win
- The Raiders will have a very solid defense. Their D-line got a lot better by adding Christain Wilkins. However, I think the Browns should be able to take advantage of their secondary. I am not sure what they are doing on offense. They brought in Gardner Minshew to most likely back up Aidan O’Connell. With the loss of Josh Jacobs, they added a less talented Alexander Mattison. The Browns cannot let Devonte Adams beat them.
- Week 5: at Commanders – Win
- The Browns will face their first rookie QB in Jayden Daniels. The defense will be better with the addition of Dan Quinn, but I think the Browns should be able to handle their business in D.C. They need to with the four-game stretch they have in front of them.
- Weeks 6-9 is a difficult stretch of their schedule. The only positive is that three of them will be at home. If the Browns came out of this 3-1, we would be feeling really good. However, 2-2 with some divisional wins would be just fine.
- Week 6: at Eagles – Loss
- The Eagles is another team that faded in the back half of last year. By no means do I think this isn’t a winnable game. In fact, if the Browns do drop a game they shouldn’t in the first five weeks I could really see them winning this. I also like that this game is not in a primetime spot. I think that is better for the road team. Ultimately, it will be close but the Browns will fall short.
- Week 7: vs. Bengals (Win)
- The Joe Burrow injury will be something I will be watching throughout the season. The Bengals finally chose to address the offensive line by using their first-round pick on a tackle. The Bengals have started the last two seasons very slow and this is about the time when they begin to hit their stride. However, I do believe there is something with this match-up that frustrates Burrow and company. The Browns get it done.
- Week 8: vs Ravens (Loss)
- Just like the Browns have that edge over Cincy, the Ravens have it over the Browns. Hopefully, the momentum the Browns had from the Browns win in Baltimore last year carries over. We will see, but the Browns will play them tough.
- Week 9: vs Chargers (Win)
- The Browns have not been able to beat the Chargers in the last two match-ups. The refs had something to do with it in 2021 (remember the phantom pass interference?), and we couldn’t pull it out when Staley tried to give us the game in 2022. Cade York missed the game-winning field goal. The Browns will finally get it done.
Again, if the Browns can make it through that stretch of games it will be a success. The Browns will be 7-2 feeling great going into the bye week. The next four games are not as difficult as the last four. They should be able to go 3-1 or 2-2.
- Week 10: BYE
- Week 11: at Saints (Win)
- The first year of the Derek Carr experience did not go well in New Orleans. I think the Browns should take advantage of this coming off their bye. They have a solid defense, and I think their offense will be average in the league. Jamies should be able to give a little insight into their offense. Browns win.
- Week 12: vs Steelers (TNF) (win)
- I have to imagine the Steelers will look different from the beginning of the season until week 12. The Wilson/Fields experience will be very interesting to watch. Maybe we see more sideline blow-ups from Pickens. I will give the Steelers credit, the offensive line has gotten better and they continue to build on that defense. The Browns have to find a way to expose their defense like some of the teams last year did. Texans and Cardinals should be good examples to look at. Browns win a close one.
- Week 13: at Broncos (MNF) – Win
- Like the Chargers, the Browns have not had success against the Broncos. The Browns should be very well rested after coming off their Thursday night game. The Browns will more than likely face another rookie QB in Bo Nix. The Browns are better and should win this game.
- Week 14: at Steelers – Loss
- As much as I would love to sweep the Steelers, I can’t say it until I see it. The Browns need to show they can go into Pittsburgh and win. Let’s hope they can do that. The Steelers will be in the middle of an absolutely brutal stretch. They will be in desperation mode.
- Here is the final stretch of their season, and it is a difficult one. The Browns need to split, but if they can go 3-1 they will have a chance at the number one overall seed for the playoffs.
- Week 15: vs Chiefs – Win
- Here we go. Can the Browns knock off the defending Super Bowl champs? I think they do it. The Browns will have a lot of motivation for this game. Not only coming off a loss, but they need to stack some wins to win the division. The Browns get it done!
- Week 16: at Bengals (TNF) – Loss
- Coming off of one of their best wins of the season, the Browns fall to the Bengals. I think the Bengals will have a little bit more motivation and beat the Browns.
- Week 17: vs Dolphins (SNF) – Win
- The Browns will have some rest coming off of their Thursday night game. I like getting the Dolphins late in the season. I hope it’s cold and snowing. They could have nothing to play for depending on how the season goes for the Dolphins. It will be more likely they will be battling with the Jets and Bills in the AFC East division. The Browns home-field advantage is key to this win.
- Week 18: at Ravens – Win
- This game could very well be for the division. What an opportunity this would be for the Browns. To beat the Ravens and win their first divisional title. What a moment this would be. The road to the Super Bowl could go through Cleveland.
- I know I am being a little optimistic. I have been my whole life. I do think if the Browns stay healthy they have every chance to have a 12-5 or 13-4 record. It is entirely possible they pick up another loss to a team like the Chiefs, Cowboys, or Chargers and still win the division. You will need 12-13 wins to win the division and contend for the number one seed. Also, you never know how these teams will look like when we face them. We saw how many QB injuries there were last year. A key player out could make the difference. I will post another blog looking at different nuggets for each week. Bye weeks, road trips, etc.
Browns fans, how are we feeling??
