During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Cleveland Browns most difficult games are the focus.
Here is a look at the Browns easiest games.
Cleveland Browns Most Difficult Games in 2017
1. Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Bar none, this will be the Browns most difficult game this coming season. Although the Browns (hopefully) show major improvement throughout the season, they will likely be no match for the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. The trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown spells huge trouble for any defense, especially in Eeek 17, where there could be playoff spots on the line, the Browns are no different.
2. Week 14 vs. Green Bay Packers
Remember last year when the Green Bay Packers were 4-6 going into the season’s final stretch? Well, from that point on, they went 8-1, their only loss coming in the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons. Surely the Packers will come out with their hair on fire in 2017, looking to avoid the same mediocre start. Against a young, inexperienced defense like the Browns have, Aaron Rodgers may just have himself a feast.
3. Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s those pesky Pittsburgh Steelers again, this time at the beginning of the season. At the onset of the NFL season, the Steelers always seem to get off to a hot start. Against the youthful Browns, this year looks to be no different. Again, Big Ben, Bell, and Brown will likely just be too much for the young Cleveland defense. Congratulations, Pittsburgh. On the list of the Browns most difficult games, you’ve taken two out of three. Not bad.
4. Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts
This game against the Indianapolis Colts could shift a lot on this list if Andrew Luck can’t get healthy. However, for the sake of this list, assume that Luck is ready to go by Week three. Although the Colts somewhat neglected defense, their biggest need, in the NFL Draft this year, Luck is still one of the league’s best quarterbacks. Once again, this Browns defense might just not be good enough yet. Luck may not carve it up, but he’ll more than likely give the Browns a hard time.
5. Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens
The beginning of the season is going to be really rough for the Browns. Not only do they host the Steelers Week one, but they have to travel to Baltimore right after that. Now, are the Ravens an elite NFL team? Well, maybe not. However, they still are in that upper echelon. Perhaps Joe Flacco isn’t elite, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t good. Rounding out the top five most difficult Browns games in 2017 is this Week two matchup against the Ravens.
6. Week 7 vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing’s for sure about the Tennessee Titans: they are absolutely trending up. Maybe they’re not Super Bowl contenders just yet, but they’re still poised to win the AFC South in 2017. If the Colts and Houston Texans can’t get it together, that leaves the door open just a crack. And that crack is all that Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans need to break right on through. The Titans just might have too much talent for the Browns to overcome.
7. Week 6 at Houston Texans
Speaking of the Texans, the Browns will travel to Houston for Week six. It will be a homecoming for quarterback Brock Osweiler, and the Browns will be facing one of the league’s best defenses. If J.J. Watt returns to even a fraction of what he was in 2015, Houston’s defensive line will be beastly. Additionally, rookie signal-caller Deshaun Watson might be acclimated to the NFL by Week six. This one might not be ideal for any Browns quarterback, especially rookie DeShone Kizer.
8. Week 15 vs. Ravens
This game could be really interesting. While it isn’t a guaranteed win by any means, it also might not be a guaranteed loss. The Browns are at home, it will be close to the end of the season, and the Ravens may or may not be playoff worthy at this point. If Baltimore isn’t in the playoff hunt, the Browns could have a real chance at this one. Really, it all depends on how much experience the Browns defense has gained throughout the season. If they can make a few plays on Flacco, that might be enough to swing this one. But in terms of the Browns most difficult games, this one is right down the middle.
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