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 easiest games are the focus.<\/p>\n
Here is a look at the Browns most difficult games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funny enough, this game’s placement on the list is a microcosm of how fans seem to view it. First off, the Minnesota Vikings finished a middle of the road 8-8 last season. Secondly, this game is taking place on a neutral field in London. Everything points to this being one of the most neutral, middling games\u00a0of the\u00a0season. The Browns have a chance though. Even though this one is on a neutral field, the Browns have a huge following in England.<\/p>\n The Cincinnati Bengals just aren’t the team that they used to be. Now, is this the Browns easiest game for 2017? Well, no, not even close. The Bengals still have\u00a0Andy Dalton<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Giovani Bernard<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0new speedster,\u00a0John Ross<\/a><\/strong>. However, their\u00a0offensive line is nearly totally depleted (ranked 31st in the NFL). Without the strong offensive line of the past, the Bengals might let\u00a0Myles Garrett<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Emmanuel Ogbah<\/a><\/strong> get some good reps in.<\/p>\n The Jaguars are just so weird. Last year, they came into the season with a tremendous amount of hype and they hilariously underperformed. But maybe, just maybe,\u00a0Blake Bortles<\/a><\/strong> can be fixed? Perhaps this new coaching staff just\u00a0gets<\/em> to him. If not, the Jags still have that stifling defense. However, if Bortles and company can’t put points on the board, the Browns might have a good chance at this one.<\/p>\n Here are the Bengals again. This time, it’s Week four and the Browns are home in the friendly confines of FirstEnergy Stadium. Again, that offensive line will undoubtedly be a problem for the Bengals. For the Browns though, that should let them kick the door down at home and really challenge the Bengals.<\/p>\n Oh, the Los Angeles Chargers must be\u00a0angry<\/em> with the Browns right now. After all, they were the only team to lose to the Cleveland Browns last season. However, will anger alone be enough? The Chargers do have\u00a0Philip Rivers<\/a><\/strong>, but how much more does he have to give? Additionally, seventh-overall pick\u00a0Mike Williams<\/a><\/strong> is likely out for the season. Can the Browns take down the Chargers two years in a row? Well, they’ve got a shot at it in week 13.<\/p>\n True, the Detroit Lions were a playoff team last year! How could the\u00a0Browns<\/em> have a relatively easy time with a\u00a0playoff<\/em> team<\/em>? Well, in addition to being a playoff team last year, the Lions were also despicably lucky. They really didn’t beat anybody worth beating in 2016, and often got a perfect storm when it came to game-winning drives. This luck finally ran out when the Seahawks manhandled them in the playoffs. If the Lions manage to get\u00a0another<\/em> stroke of luck for the entirety of 2017, this game might be a different story. But assuming the Lions aren’t that lucky again, the Browns have a\u00a0real<\/em> shot at this one.<\/p>\n During the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears seemed a bit clueless for the first round. While they could’ve let\u00a0Mitchell Trubisky<\/strong><\/a> fall into their lap, they chose to “trade the farm” for his services. Unless Trubisky is\u00a0fantastic<\/em> in training camp and throughout his whole rookie season, this is one game that Browns fans can feel very confident in. This Bears rebuild is odd, to say the least. In truth, the Browns should be able to secure a win here. But in terms of the Browns easiest games, this one doesn’t take the cake just yet. There is one more game on the Browns schedule.<\/p>\n The New York Jets are in a\u00a0BAD<\/em><\/strong> way. With a roster basically devoid of any and all talent (save for maybe the defensive line), the Jets are in full rebuild mode. Are the New York Jets tanking? Maybe, maybe not. But are the Jets the worst team in the league? Absolutely. On a list of the Browns easiest games in 2017, this one wins by a very wide margin. This list may or may not be the only thing the New York Jets “win” this season.<\/p>\n Main image credit:<\/p>\nCleveland Browns Easiest Games in 2017<\/h2>\n
9. Week 8 vs. Vikings<\/h3>\n
10. Week 12 at Bengals<\/h3>\n
11. Week 11 vs. Jaguars<\/h3>\n
12. Week 4 vs. Bengals<\/h3>\n
13. Week 13 at Chargers<\/h3>\n
14. Week 10 at Lions<\/h3>\n
15. Week 16 at Bears<\/h3>\n
16. Week 5 vs. Jets<\/h3>\n