Browns game-by-game predictions after 2024 NFL schedule release

Week 1 vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Browns start their season off with the Cowboys, who might still be licking their wounds from the pummeling they received in the playoffs at the hands of the Packers. Both of these teams had much earlier playoff exits than they would have liked. But with the season anew, someone has to walk out with a victory. The Browns had one of the best overall defenses in the NFL last season, including the No. 1 passing defense, allowing 164.7 yards per game. Dak Prescott will be missing his left tackle and his running back from last season. Cleveland starts the season with a win. WIN

Record: 1-0

Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars

The season didn’t quite pan out the way the Jaguars wanted it to last year. Injuries played a large part in that. Though this one could be a good game between the two, if that pass defense is back again this year for the Browns, it could be a long day for Trevor Lawrence. WIN

Record: 2-0

Week 3 vs. New York Giants

Hate to keep beating a dead horse here, but Daniel Jones with still little to no weapons — minus first-round draft pick Malik Nabers — plus a poor offensive line against the Browns defense equals a long day for Giants fans. WIN

Record: 3-0

Week 4 at Las Vegas Raiders

This first month is very manageable for the Browns. Even on the road here against the Raiders, the better team is the Browns, who have a much more capable quarterback in Watson. WIN

Record: 4-0

Week 5 at Washington Commanders

For the Browns’ sake, they better hope they can start piling up wins in the first month and a half of the season because the schedule starts to get bumpy after Week 5. Luckily for them, they’ll face a Commanders team that still needs a lot more than their No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels. The Browns start the season 5-0 for the first time since 1963. WIN

Record: 5-0

Week 6 at Philadelphia Eagles

While this would be an impressive start for the Browns, going 5-0, they are likely to meet their match in mid-October. The Eagles usually don’t lose at home, not to mention they’ll be coming off a bye. Browns take their first loss of the season. LOSS

Record: 5-1

Week 7 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Last year, the Browns started their season off with a win over the Bengals then ended it in a loss. The loss was due to the Browns sitting starters since a playoff spot was locked up. This year, the two teams won’t play until late October, opening up the Browns’ AFC North play. This will be the first in a three-game home stretch for the Browns facing tough competition. Joe Burrow is just 1-5 against the Browns lifetime, but he’ll pick up a win here for the Bengals. LOSS

Record: 5-2

Week 8 vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens will be coming off a short week, playing on Monday Night Football against the Buccaneers. They’ll have already faced the Chiefs, Cowboys, Bills, and Bengals by this point. This one was close last year in Cleveland with the Browns coming out on top. All factors included, I like the Browns here. WIN

Record: 6-2

Week 9 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

There’s a good chance we’ll see a much-improved Chargers team in 2024, thanks to new head coach Jim Harbaugh. But there’s also a good chance they’ll be some hiccups along the way. Browns end the homestand 2-1. WIN

Record: 7-2

Week 10 – BYE

Week 11 at New Orleans Saints

Since Stefanski arrived, the Browns are 3-1 off a bye, but after that tough stretch, they had to then go into New Orleans to face the — who shouldn’t be that good — still could be a game where they slip up. LOSS

Record: 7-3

Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday Night Football)

This will be the first of two Thursday night games for the Browns. They are 11-11 in Thursday night games but have won their last six, including two against the Steelers, per StatMuse. The Browns keep their streak going. WIN

Record: 8-3

Week 13 at Denver Broncos (Monday Night Football)

Hard to say what the Broncos look like once December comes. The better team is the Browns, who can give fits to a possible rookie quarterback in Bo Nix as a starter. WIN

Record: 9-3

Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers could be on the bubble of being a playoff team, but they will be desperately searching for wins while they are in one of the most brutal stretches for any team during the 2024 season. They might get their one and only win in December over the Browns. LOSS

Record: 9-4

Week 15 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

If the Chiefs showed us anything from the last couple of years, they know how to turn it on late. Until that changes, it’s hard to say otherwise. Browns lose two straight. LOSS

Record: 9-5

Week 16 at Cincinnati (Thursday Night Football)

Even though it’s a Thursday night game, with both teams likely fighting for playoff seeding, I’m not sure the Browns can sweep the Bengals. LOSS

Record: 9-6

Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday Night Football)

Are the Dolphins really a playoff team in 2024? Miami lost a lot in free agency, and now they’re trying to figure out what exactly it will take to extend Tua Tagovailoa. Browns will need to win their last two just to make it in. They’ll crush the Dolphins’ hopes by helping their own. WIN

Record: 10-6

Week 18 at Baltimore Ravens

If the Ravens are still the Ravens, they probably have at least the division wrapped up. But that’s definitely not a certainty. Ending the season in a division rival game is massive, especially with both teams probably either playoff-bound or needing that last win to get in. Either way, there should be great implications in this game. The Ravens all-time home record is 154-71-1 (.684). Browns take another loss that could be the end of their season. LOSS

Record: 10-7