It’s no secret around the NFL that the Cleveland Browns are all in on 2023. It starts with the team trading three first-round choices for QB Deshaun Watson. Then they gave him the largest guaranteed contract in league history. Most of the players on their roster are in the primes of their careers, which in NFL terms means they have two (maybe three) years performing at the top of their games.
If it all works, the Browns will be a relevant contender for the first time since Bernie Kosar sidearmed touchdowns for the team in the late 1980s. If it doesn’t… well, a lot of people are going to be looking for new jobs in four months.
What are the team’s chances this year?
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Predicting the 2023 Cleveland Browns Schedule (Part 1 of 2)
It’s been difficult for pundits to predict a win total for the Cleveland Browns. On one hand, their roster is one of the most talented in the league. There are few holes, and though the team lacks depth in a few spots, a relatively healthy season could see the team dominating a tough division. On the other hand, the modern NFL goes through the quarterback position, and post-suspension Deshaun Watson didn’t look too good last year.
Likewise, the strength of schedule doesn’t give the Cleveland Browns faithful a lot of tells either. PFF rates the Browns’ schedule as the 10th easiest in the league. However, the first few games are grueling for a team still looking to find its rhythm.
Three Division Games in Four Weeks
The Cleveland Browns open at home on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, of course, are one season removed from a Super Bowl appearance and barely missed it last season. All-world QB Joe Burrow is returning from an injury, making things easier for the hyper-aggressive Browns defense.
From there, the Browns travel to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is always a tough game for the Browns. During future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger’s career, he was 26-2-1 against Cleveland in the regular season. Things should be easier, as the Steelers are still rebuilding around second-year QB Kenny Pickett. Pickett took over midway through last season and produced mediocre results, with a 63% completion percentage, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Then the team returns home to take on the Tennesee Titans, the easiest of this four-game stretch. The Titans are predicted to get 6-8 wins in the relatively easy AFC South. That makes this a must-win for the Browns, who have often played down to their opponents during the Kevin Stefanski years.
The last game the Cleveland Browns have before their early Week 5 bye is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have completely reconstructed their offense, bringing in offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Monken hopes to redesign the passing game for former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. It remains to be seen if this experiment will work for Jackson, who the injury bug has also bitten in recent seasons.
Can The Cleveland Browns Get Off to a Fast Start?
The NFL is a game of inches, where games and careers are made from a handful of plays in a given game. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for even a highly talented and experienced team to stumble to a 1-3 start with this schedule.
On the other hand, if Burrow is rusty in his comeback and the Cleveland Browns defense is as aggressive as advertised, they could jump out of the gate with a big win. The Ravens’ offense is a huge question mark, and the Pittsburgh and Tennesse games are both winable.
For a team needing a fast start, it didn’t give its first-team offense much time in the preseason. While the offensive line and all-world RB Nick Chubb didn’t need the time, Watson sure did. Watson has a brand new passing game and a stable full of new receivers to throw to. Even in the best of circumstances, that kind of chemistry takes a while to breed.
However, even if Deshaun Watson and his new passing game take a while to mesh, the Browns could win with Chubb and a tough defense.
Like a lot of things with the 2023 Cleveland Browns, there’s a lot of potential and a lot of challenges. So let’s call it a push, and presume the Cleveland Browns split their first four: 2-2.
The Second Quarter: Things Get a Little Easier
After their early bye, the Cleveland Browns get the San Francisco 49ers at home. The 49ers have been tough the last two seasons despite constant quarterback drama. That question seems to have been settled with Brock Purdy taking over the lead role. That assumes, of course, that he’s over his UCL repair. If not, San Francisco will trot out former first-round bust Sam Darnold.
The Browns go on the road for two consecutive games after that. The first is a short hop to Indianapolis to take on the rebuilding Colts. The Colts feature rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, a talented but raw signal-caller. This is a must-win for the Browns, as the Colts are projected to finish near the bottom of the league.
The team follows this up with the long trip to Seattle. Lumen Field is a tough ticket for any visitor. As are the Seahawk fans, who literally created an earthquake that one time. Assuming QB Geno Smith continues to look as good as he did last year, the team should continue its perennial competition for the NFC West division title.
Finally, the Cleveland Browns get their easiest game of the season against the potentially tanking Arizona Cardinals. A team that takes itself seriously simply can not lose to the Cardinals, who project to be in play for the No. 1 overall choice in the 2024 draft.
What Will the Cleveland Browns Record Be at the Halfway Point?
By the time the Browns face off against the 49ers, the passing game should be online. If Stefanski and Watson can’t figure it out with a month and a bye-week, there’s a major problem.
If the Cleveland Browns have a losing record eight games in, expect the team to make major changes. There’s been speculation that the Browns brought in special teams coach Bubba Ventrone as a potential replacement for Stefanski. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has also been a head coach himself.
In the season’s second quarter, the Browns have two must-win games against the Colts and Cardinals. The 49ers and Seahawks are both tough games, but both teams have lower projected win totals than the Browns.
Therefore, a reasonable expectation for the team is 3-1 in this frame, bringing the team’s overall record to 5-3.
Check back later this week to see how the Cleveland Browns project for the second half of the season.
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Main Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
