In 2016, the Cleveland Browns went a miserable 1-15. After a record like that, it’s easy for a team owner to want to fire a front office. However, patience is a virtue. Both Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown are still with the Browns. Of course, they’ll be looking to improve on their 2016 efforts in this coming season. But the NFL’s scheduling has just as much to do with success as team talent does. With the 2017 NFL Schedule Release last Thursday, let’s take a look at the Browns schedule. Can the 2017 Cleveland Browns schedule give any hints as to their possible record?
Predicting the 2017 Cleveland Browns Record
Sunday, September 10th vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Loss
This is a really tough break for the Browns. Coming off the heels of (hopefully) a great draft, such a young team will want to win in week one. However, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will likely have other ideas. Keep in mind that, although the Browns should improve, Rome was not built in a day. These young Browns are hungry, but nowhere near ready to beat the Steelers.
Sunday, September 17th at Baltimore Ravens – Loss
This one, on the other hand, should be pretty close. After blowing a sizable lead in week two against the Ravens last year, the 2017 Cleveland Browns will look for revenge. However, their efforts will once again seem fruitless. This is a road game after all, and the Ravens are a tough team. Hopefully, this one can stay close throughout. And hey, maybe the Browns could pull it out after all. But that’s not exactly likely.
Sunday, September 24th at Indianapolis Colts – Loss
If the Indianapolis Colts can get their collective head in the game, this one shouldn’t even be close. Andrew Luck is just too good, even against a Browns defense that should improve by 2017. But if the Colts front office continues to squander Luck’s best years into 2017, the Browns will have a chance. Sadly for them though, that just isn’t likely.
Sunday, October 1st vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Win
Nearly every year it seems, the Browns are in one game that they should have had absolutely no chance in. This year, that game comes in week four. Last year, Andy Dalton‘s Bengals greatly underachieved with a 6-9-1 record. While it is likely that they will bounce back in 2017, the Browns can still take advantage of that vulnerability. In any case, fans should really be hoping for a win here; it just might happen.
Sunday, October 8th vs. New York Jets – Win
For the first time in a while, the Browns could collect a winning streak here. Against a team like the Jets, the 2017 Cleveland Browns will absolutely have a chance. After almost making the playoffs in 2015, the Jets fell off a cliff last year. The Browns nearly beat them last year. In 2017, they’ll finish the job.
Sunday, October 15th at Houston Texans – Loss
Winning streaks are fun, but they can’t last forever. The Houston Texans, despite lacking a quarterback, have a stifling defense. Even with the loss of A.J. Bouye to the Jaguars, they still have J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Unfortunately for the Browns, even their revamped offensive line cannot hold those two back. Hopefully for Cody Kessler, he can stay healthy through this game.
Sunday, October 22nd vs. Tennessee Titans – Loss
In the AFC South, everything is wide open. Truthfully, the division (outside of the Colts) has been one of the worst in football for years. However, that does not change the fact that the Titans are an up and coming AFC team. Behind quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Titans are nearly ready for primetime. The Browns, it goes without saying, are not. Expect this one to be a loss at the hands of the Titans.
Sunday, October 29th vs. Minnesota Vikings – Loss
NOTE: This game will happen in London, England during week eight as a part of the NFL’s International Series.
In 2016, the Minnesota Vikings started 5-0. Of course, they fell off the face of the earth and finished 8-8, but the point still stands. 8-8 is far better than the 2017 Cleveland Browns could really hope to finish. Therefore, this one should be a loss in London, but on a neutral field, you never know. Once again, the Browns might pull this one out. They have a tendency to win some games that they absolutely should not. However, odds say that this one is a loss.
Week Nine: BYE WEEK
Sunday, November 12th at Detroit Lions – Loss
As far as confusing games go, this one could be the toughest on the schedule. Last year, the Detroit Lions never seemed to really go away. Matthew Stafford led the Lions to eight game-winning drives in 2016, setting an NFL record. But as soon as they got into the post-season, the Lions folded. It turns out that almost all of those drives were against bad teams. In that case, the Browns might have a chance, but this one still isn’t likely.
Sunday, November 19th vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Win
This game could be the statement win for the 2017 Cleveland Browns. Even with the mastermind who is Tom Coughlin on their side, the Jaguars are still vulnerable. If any game could be a blowout in Cleveland’s favor this year, it’s this one. The Browns are ready for the Jaguars, and fans could fully expect a win here, save for something unforeseen.
Sunday, November 26th at Cincinnati Bengals – Loss
If the home win against the Bengals does actually happen, the Bengals will be back with a vengeance in week 12. Fans can expect that Andy Dalton and company will absolutely demolish the Browns this week as revenge. It might get ugly, but losses like that are sometimes necessary for young teams.
Sunday, December 3rd at Los Angeles Chargers – Win
The 2016 Cleveland Browns collected their lone win against the Chargers. Following the 2016 season, the Chargers moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Truthfully, the Browns have a realistic shot at this win. Last year may have been a fluke; a win this year would just show improvement.
Sunday, December 10th vs. Green Bay Packers – Loss
Let’s keep this short and sweet; most likely, this one is going to get ugly. Behind Aaron Rodgers and a potent offense, the Browns are going to get destroyed. Fans can absolutely expect a 100 percent loss possibility here.
Sunday, December 17th vs. Baltimore Ravens – Loss
This one could get a little better for the deflated Cleveland Browns. Nothing about the Ravens is overly terrifying for the Browns, but they’re still much better. The Ravens have already been looked at here, so fans can expect another loss, but at home. The Browns aren’t ready for Joe Flacco and company just yet, but they’re getting there. Just wait one year, Browns fans.
Sunday, December 24th @ Chicago Bears – Win
As something of a Christmas miracle, the Browns should beat the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve. This game is absolutely winnable, and the Browns should feel good about themselves going into week sixteen.
Sunday, December 31st @ Pittsburgh Steelers – Loss
In the final week of the season, the Browns will travel to Pittsburgh. Sadly enough for them, they still won’t be ready by that time. In order to beat the Steelers and not have it be a fluke, the Browns will need at least one more year of “trusting the process.” For now though, they end the 2017 season with one more loss.
