The Cleveland Browns have a schedule for 2021, and while it really makes no sense to predict how many games the team will win with so many factors you can’t account for, that’s exactly what we’re going to do here.
A couple of notes on the schedule before we get going.
1. The Browns were awarded three primetime games. One on Thursday night, one on Sunday night and one on Monday night.
2.Each team gets a national TV game, which is why the Thursday night game was created, so the Browns were deemed worthy of getting two additional prime-time slots.
3. The Cowboys were given six primetime games, while the Packers got five. Reigning Super Bowl champ Tampa was also awarded five.
4. The Browns probably deserved one more prime-time slot, but I’m fine with playing three. Sunday afternoons are for football!
5. Besides the usual slew of AFC North games, the Browns will also play the NFC North and the AFC West, and because the way the schedule works, the Browns will also get New England on the road, and Arizona at home.
Here’s how the Browns record should play out when Cleveland hits the field in 2021.
Cleveland Browns Week 1: Loss at Kansas City (0-1)
The Browns NEVER win in Week 1, and now they’re going to knock off Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead in the opener. I’d love for Baker Mayfield and company to prove me wrong, but the Browns take the L here to extend their winless streak in Week 1.
The Browns haven’t won an opener since 2004. Cleveland tied Pittsburgh in 2018. They’ve never won a road opener in the expansion era.
Cleveland Browns Week 2: Win vs Texans (1-1)
The Cleveland Browns should rebound in Week 2, playing their first game in front of the home fans by defeating the Texans.
Even with Deshaun Watson in the game, the Browns were a good bet to win. Now, it seems very unlikely he’ll be under center for Houston.
Cleveland Browns Week 3: Win vs Bears (2-1)
The Browns will either be playing against veteran Andy Dalton or rookie Justin Fields. Either way, you’ve got to like Cleveland’s odds.
This season will be one of transition for Chicago as the Bears prep Justin Fields to eventually become QB 1 sooner or later.
The Browns are supposed to be playoff contenders, and a true contender would make quick work of a team in the Bears’ current state.
Cleveland Browns Week 4: Win at Vikings (3-1)
Kevin Stefanski spent his entire coaching career with the Vikings, and the Cleveland Browns head coach should leave his home with a win.
Kirk Cousins isn’t an elite quarterback, even though he’s paid like one. That said, he’s still capable of making life difficult for opposing defenses, especially if running back Dalvin Cook is healthy.
The Brown are the more talented team here, though, so it’d be a major disappointment to lose this one with another road game on the docket for Week 5.
Cleveland Browns Week 5: Loss at Chargers (3-2)
This is one of those games I could see the Browns coming out flat. They’ll enter this game having won three straight, but they usually don’t seem their best when tasked with going west.
I think of some recent losses to the Raiders and that Sunday night drubbing to the 49ers in 2019 as evidence. Perhaps Stefanski has the elixir, but until I see otherwise, I think ascending quarterback Justin Herbert picks up a win for LA.
Cleveland Browns Week 6: Win vs Cardinals (4-2)
Having lost to the Chargers on the road, the Browns return for some home cooking, and the orange helmets will have their work cutout for them against quarterback Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals went 8-8 last season and if this game had been played in 2020, I wouldn’t been worried. However, with the Browns getting faster on defense with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney on the edge, John Johnson at safety and JOK at linebacker (maybe safety?), Cleveland’s talent should ultimately overcome whatever Murray cooks up.
Cleveland Browns Week 7: Win vs Broncos (5-2)
The Browns first primetime game of the season kicks off with a very winnable game against the Broncos.
Denver is giong to see if Drew Lock can be the long-term answer at quarterback, while Teddy Bridgewater waits in the wings. Additionally, coach Vic Fangio is probably coaching for his job. With the Browns being more stable and more talented, Cleveland better come away with a victory here.
Additionally, the Browns have also been pretty entertaining on Thursday night, especially with Baker Mayfield under center. Cleveland knocked off the Jets in 2018, while defeating Cincinnati last season.
Cleveland Browns Week 8: Win vs Pittsburgh (6-2)
What will the Pittsburgh Steelers look like entering this contest? Can Ben Roethlisberger and a downgraded offensive line cobble some wins together, or will the Steelers continue their losing ways, which we saw in the second half of 2020?
The Browns don’t have to sweep Pittsburgh, but they better win this one after dominating them so thoroughly in the postseason. Ben’s coming to the Lake Shore and the Browns need to make another statement.
Cleveland Browns Week 9: Win at Bengals (7-2)
Joe Burrow will be back from his knee injury in 2021, and he should be better with an already good wide receiving corps getting a jolt with the selection of Ja’Marr Chase in the draft.
Cincinnati didn’t make easy on Cleveland in both games the two rivals played last season, though, and I anticipate this game will go the same way. Cleveland has at the better roster though, and the cream will rise to the top in the end, just as it did a season ago.
Cleveland Browns Week 10: Win at Patriots (8-2)
I gave the Browns the win here, but it wasn’t an easy one to award. The Pats are obviously down after losing Tom Brady, but Bill Belichick is hot on the trail of catching Don Shula for the most all-time victories.
Cam Newton may make a play here or there, but he’s on the downside of his career. Even if he plays well, I just don’t see the Patriots having enough to best the Browns this day.
Cleveland Browns Week 11: Win vs Lions (9-2)
New coach Dan Campbell will try and revive the career of Jared Goff. Unlike LA, I don’t think Goff belongs on the trash heap, but his career has obviously trended down since taking the Rams to the Super Bowl a few years back.
The Lions used their first-round pick on Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, and when you draft a tackle that high, you’re usually planning for the future. Campbell will try and put the pieces together for the future, which means this day will belong to the Browns.
Cleveland Browns Week 12: Loss at Ravens (9-3)
The Browns and Ravens gave NFL fans one of the most exciting contests in the league a season ago, and with this game schedule for Sunday night, TV executives are hoping Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson can create that magic again.
As much as I’d like to, I can’t see the Browns winning this one. Baltimore’s a tough place (who’s forgotten last year’s drubbing) and while it should be fun and competitive, I just don’t see Cleveland getting the win.
Cleveland Browns Week 13: BYE
At the bye week, the Browns will be 9-3 and well portioned for a run at the playoffs. If you’re a Browns fans, what else can you ask for?
Cleveland Browns Week 14: Win vs Ravens (10-3)
The Browns go back-to-back with the Ravens with the Bye sandwiched in-between, making for scheduling quirk.
Honestly, this is a a great way for things to shake out, though, because if things go the way I think they’ll go in Baltimore, Cleveland will be looking for revenge here.
Cleveland Browns Week 15: Win vs Raiders (11-3)
If this contest were on the road, I might take the Raiders because the Browns just don’t fare well when playing the Silver and Black in their own confines.
Alas, this game will be played in Cleveland and Derek Carr doesn’t exactly conjure up the image of a visiting quarterback coming into a cold climate and snatching victory away from a playoff-bound team.
Cleveland Browns Week 16: Loss at Packers (11-4)
Merry Christmas, Cleveland, this one is schedule for Saturday, December 25. Your gift? Stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I’d love for Brownie the Elf to put a win under the tree, but this contest worries me.
The Packers are still a mess, but Aaron Rodgers is still an elite player who will be playing at home. Hopefully the game is competitive and preps the Browns for what to come in the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns. Week 17: Win at Pittsburgh (12-4)
I thought a split was fair, and I might’ve given Pittsburgh this game had it been played earlier in the season. Instead, you’ve got to wonder what kind of shape the Steelers will be come early January.
I don’t think they’ll be the doormat of the NFL, but I think they’ll be reeling by the time this game rolls around, which means Cleveland should win at Pittsburgh for the second time in two tries. Let that sink in.
Cleveland Browns Week 18: Win vs Bengals (13-4)
This game is schedule for Jan. 9, thanks to the NFL adding an extra game. There are so many x-factors that make this game hard to predict. For example, will this game have any impact on the playoffs? If the Browns already have their seeding secured and the outcome won’t matter, then Mayfield and the starters aren’t likely to play.
That said, if the two teams had to play right now, the Browns would have the advantage, although, as I noted earlier, I don’t expect Cincinnati to just roll over.
Add it all up, and the Browns finish at 13-4, going 5-1 in their division. If they’re truly Super Bowl contenders, and it looks like they are, then these types of record are certainly attainable.