Cleveland Browns Season Preview
Sep 16, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns line up during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Browns 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Schedule Evaluation
The Browns face their AFC North rivals twice as they do every year. Because of that, when those 6 games are becomes vitally important. The Browns start off the season at the Steelers. Possibly the worst time to get a veteran team, when they have had time to rest up. The Browns also haven’t found their rhythm on either side of the ball. On offense the QB competition delayed that process. On defense injuries across the board created similar issues. Baltimore in Week 3, after the Steelers and the Saints, is right before a bye week and the Browns second home game in a row. The Ravens will be coming off back to back games against the other AFC North teams and could be a bit weary going on the road.
The Browns finish off their Steelers games by Week 6. At that point Manziel could be starting but either way the offense and defense should find some cohesion. The Browns don’t get their first game with the Bengals until Week 10, where the Bengals could be peaking ahead to their Week 11 matchup with the Saints. The Browns get the Bengals at home following what should be a tough home game against the Colts. The Browns closing schedule, starting with the Colts and Bengals and ending with the Panthers and Ravens, should be tough sledding.
The best hope for a win streak comes after their bye. The Titans, Steelers, Jaguars, Raiders and Buccaneers were .500 or worse last season. The Bucs made some drastic improvements while the rest of the teams continue to have their struggles. Going 4 and 1 in that stretch would get fans excited no matter what the season started like. Following that 5 game stretch is the Bengals game in Week 10 followed by 3 of the worst teams last year in the Texans, Falcons and Bills. Very winnable games going into that very difficult closing 4.