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Cleveland Browns: 5 toughest road games of 2016

By Jonathan Goehring

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Week 4: Washington Redskins

An early test for this young Browns team will be one of the most over hyped games of the season, when quarterback Robert Griffin III returns to Washington, the place where he resided for the first four years of his career. Despite the coverage Griffin will get for facing his former team, the significance of Week 4 is far beyond this. The Browns may be in position to close out a solid opening portion of the season, and prevail in a true hurdle against a defending division champion.

The matchup between these two teams is intriguing even besides the Griffin factor. The Redskins run a very methodical offense, and don’t blow anybody away statistically. Still however, they find ways to win games, which is why they emerged as NFC East champions a year ago.

Though the Redskins will be favored in this one, it will likely come down until the last few possessions, in which the Browns will need to execute at a high level to match a team who plays very well in the fourth quarter, especially at home. Winning this game would be a huge boost for Cleveland, as it is one of the more important games they will play.

One aspect of Week 4 which makes it so critical is that it follows three games in which the Browns may very well have a good chance to win. If the Browns can take two of the first three contests, this Washington game will prove to be the difference between 3-1 and 2-2. If they take one of three, this game will determine whether the Browns begin 2-2 or 1-3.

In NFL history, 63% of teams who start the season 3-1 make the postseason, while only 36% of teams who begin 2-2 do the same. What this study proves is that early season NFL games are most indicative of those who will earn playoff appearances.

If the Browns want to contend, they will need to gain an edge early in 2016. This is especially necessary due to the way this season’s schedule is structured, with the more winnable games mostly in the earlier portion. This game in Landover, Maryland may appear to be a monumental upset if the Browns can pull it off. But it would certainly be rewarding, as Cleveland needs to overcome difficult road obstacles placed in their way if they wish to succeed in 2016.

Next: Week 1

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