Off-season hype isn’t complete without analyzing a teams’ NFL schedule strength. Cleveland Browns players and fans alike can be excited for 17 weeks of action in 2021. Standing in the Browns way to the postseason will be 14 opponents. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens will take up the usual six weeks of division rival play. Other matchups for Cleveland include all of the NFC North, AFC West, and three additional teams. Many variables factor into a strong schedule. A postseason berth is only possible for the Browns provided they succeed in these pressing matchups, ranked 1st-17th by difficulty in this schedule breakdown.
Cleveland Browns 2021 Schedule Breakdown
1. at Kansas City Chiefs (Week 1)
Let’s kick off this Browns schedule breakdown with arguably the best roster in football. Straight out of the gate, the NFL has provided fans with a gripping playoff rematch. Baker Mayfield and the Browns look for revenge against AFC champion Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs newly rebuilt offensive line. Rookies on defense like Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will be debuting for Cleveland against one of the elite NFL offenses. Playing last years’ conference champion on opening day in Kansas City should prove to be the Browns biggest obstacle.
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2. at Green Bay Packers (Week 16)
With Aaron Rodgers status uncertain, this could be lower on the list. However, the Packers kept valuable running back Aaron Jones and drafted needs to become better. A mediocre run defense could see a big day for Browns Kareem Hunt or Nick Chubb. The playoff race is sure to be heated by the last three weeks. A Christmas Day contest in Lambeau snow is never an easy feat.
3. at Baltimore Ravens (Week 12)
On paper, Baltimore seems to be Cleveland’s biggest competition in the division. Led by Lamar Jackson, the Ravens are typically a test for the Browns. Cleveland’s young defense will need to keep up with an explosive Baltimore offense. A late season matchup has playoff significance written all over it. Division rivals are never an easy out, and an improved Ravens squad ranks near the top of the Browns foes.
4. versus Arizona Cardinals (Week 6)
Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield duels have proven to be exciting in years past. A developing secondary in Cleveland will have to contain DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and Christian Kirk. Arizona only finished 8-8 in 2020, however, their improved roster looks to be more of a challenge in 2021.
5. at Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 17)
Cue the Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph chatter. A Monday night matchup for these division rivals comes towards the end of the grueling season. An aging Ben Roethlisberger looks to avenge his recent playoff loss against the Browns. A stout Steeler defense could pose a formidable threat to the Browns when they visit Heinz Field in week 17.
6. versus Baltimore Ravens (Week 14)
Coming off a bye to play Baltimore may seem more difficult than the first matchup, but the Browns playing at home doesn’t hurt. With the Ravens having offensive weapons like J.K. Dobbins and Marquise Brown, Cleveland’s defense will have to play in third gear for four quarters. No matter the venue, Baltimore has been competitive with the Browns for the last decade with no sign of stopping.
7. at New England Patriots (Week 10)
Foxborough is hardly an easy place to play for opposing teams. It’s unsure if Mac Jones or Cam Newton will be the signal-caller for this affair, but coach Bill Belichick will be prepared. A completely overhauled roster has New England looking more questionable than certain. Nevertheless, Belichick and the Patriots will be a serious AFC matchup for the Browns in November.
8. versus Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 8)
Round one of two against Pittsburgh looks to be less of an issue for Cleveland. Home field advantage will be a plus, however, Pittsburgh surely remembers their last meeting. A heated postseason rout will have the Steelers hungry for vengeance. Discipline will need to be a focus if Cleveland is to beat bitter rival Pittsburgh.
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9. at Los Angeles Chargers (Week 5)
Coming off of arguably the best rookie season by a quarterback ever, Justin Herbert looks like an All-Pro. During the off-season, the Chargers only fixed the issues they had in 2020. The Browns meeting with Los Angeles at So-Fi stadium could easily teeter both ways. Big days from fantasy studs like Odell Beckham Jr. and Austin Ekeler could shift the affair in either teams’ favor.
10. at Cincinnati Bengals (Week 9)
Cleveland heads to Cincinnati for their first road game against a division rival, however, the Bengals seem to be the least threatening. Sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow and a young Bengals roster look to be their own up-and-coming squad. The matchup to highlight in this contest will likely be a stellar Browns pass rush against a re-tooled Bengals offensive line. Conversely, rookie JaMarr Chase lining up against the young defensive backs in Cleveland could be a spectacle as well.
11. versus Las Vegas Raiders (Week 15)
Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders come to town in mid-December. An overhaul to the Las Vegas offensive line will have Cleveland’s pass rush eager to bring Carr down. Newly acquired Jadeveon Clowney could be a notable name to watch for the Browns. In the thick of the playoff race, the Browns will have to dispose of Las Vegas at home.
12. at Minnesota Vikings (Week 4)
The first contest after a two-game home stretch sees Cleveland traveling north to play the Vikings. The Browns run defense has the tedious task of stopping running back Dalvin Cook. Furthermore, stopping receivers like Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson won’t be simple either. Perhaps new safety Josh Johnson could see success against a versatile Minnesota assault. The Vikings are one of five NFC teams looking to thwart the Browns plans.
13. versus Cincinnati Bengals (Week 18)
The last week of Cleveland’s 2021 NFL season ends against a division rival. The stakes of this matchup come January could surely see it higher on the list. The Bengals will have had all season to start really assessing their rebuild. Cleveland looks to start peaking after their own long rebuild. Rivals with similar intentions only stand in one another’s way in week 18.
14. versus Denver Broncos (Week 7)
The current quarterback situation in Denver is questionable at best. A Broncos team looking to solidify identity could be a test for Cleveland. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton could keep defenders busy, however, inconsistent quarterback play could cause issues for Denver. The Browns look slightly more talented than the Broncos going into this affair.
15. versus Chicago Bears (Week 3)
After drafting Justin Fields, the quarterback room in Chicago will be competing. The Browns look to be ready for Fields, or Andy Dalton who could also start. The Bears defense has declined from it’s 2018 dominance. With Kyle Fuller gone and Khalil Mack looking like his prime is over, Cleveland must strike on offense often to win this Midwest matchup.
16. versus Detroit Lions (Week 11)
Detroit coach Dan Campbell is in his first year. After swapping Matt Stafford for Jared Goff, the Lions offense looks completely different going forward. Losing Kenny Golladay in the off-season, the Lions will probably rely on Goff to use D’Andre Swift more in the passing game. Cleveland could capitalize on the lack of true weapons for Detroit for an out-of-conference victory.
17. versus Houston Texans (Week 2)
The Browns schedule breakdown finishes with the biggest trainwreck in the NFL. The lawsuits following Deshaun Watson haven’t been resolved yet. The Texans front office signed multiple players to one-year contracts and seems to lack any identity. If Watson doesn’t play, Tyrod Taylor may end up taking snaps for Houston. With Houston’s roster and future looking uncertain, the Browns are heavily favored going into this contest.
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