Cleveland Browns: 16 interesting tidbits on the 2017 schedule

The Cleveland Browns will look to put last season’s 1-15 record behind them when they open the season in September. Here are 16 thoughts on the schedule.

The Cleveland Browns will open the 2017 NFL season on Sept. 10 when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The day will mark the first opportunity for fans, the front office and the coaching staff to see how the offseason work looks in a game that actually matters.

It will also start the Browns on their journey away from last season’s 1-15 finish, the team’s worst ever. The Browns haven’t had a winning season since 2007 and have lost 10 or more games in 12 of their past 14 seasons.

There is still a lot of work to do before the Browns tee it up for the opener against the Steelers, but here are 16 quick thoughts about the upcoming season.

Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh: The last time the Browns opened the season at home against Pittsburgh the starting quarterback was Charlie Frye, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks two days later.

Whoever wins the quarterback competition among Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and DeShone Kizer may want to wait until Week 2 to accept the job.

Week 2 @ Baltimore: It was just two years ago when the Browns last won in Baltimore as quarterback Josh McCown threw for a franchise-record 457 yards in a 33-30 win. So whoever starts at quarterback for the Browns has something to shoot for.

Week 3 @ Indianapolis: The Colts roster has some familiar faces as linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jabaal Sheard, and running back Robert Turbin, now ply their trade in Indianapolis.

Week 4 vs. Cincinnati: The first chance for Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and the rest of the Browns rebuilt defense to pound on Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton and his battered offensive line.

Week 5 vs. New York Jets: If he is still in one piece, quarterback Josh McCown will make his return to Cleveland in a Jets uniform. The Browns do not have to fear former quarterbacks Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel coming back on opposing team, unless Cleveland plans to schedule an exhibition against a Canadian Football League team.

Week 6 @ Houston: Depending on how things play out in Houston, the Browns may have an up close look at what might have been in Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Week 7 vs. Tennessee: As bad as things have been for the Browns, they still hold the edge, 35-29, all time against the Titans/Houston Oilers. This will be the fourth consecutive season the teams have met, with the Browns winning two of the past three.

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Week 8 vs. Minnesota in London: The Browns return to London for the first time since 1989 as they take on the Vikings. The Browns lost that trip, 17-13, to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Week 9: Bye

Week 10 @ Detroit: The Browns and the Lions met for the NFL Championship from 1952 to 1954, with the Browns capturing their sixth championship in 1954. While the Lions won the title in 1952 and 1953 (and in another matchup with the Browns in 1957), they have won just one playoff game since.

Week 11 vs. Jacksonville: Former division rivals, the Browns have somehow gone just 5-11 all time against the Jaguars.

Week 12 @ Cincinnati: The Browns last “big win” game on a Thursday night in 2014 when they dismantled the Bengals on national television. Since that night, the Browns have lost five consecutive games to Cincinnati and been outscored 152-40 in the process.

Week 13 @ Los Angeles Chargers: The Browns have not won a road game against the Chargers since 1991. They can pick up that next road win in their first trip to the 30,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Week 14: vs. Green Bay: The Packers last visited Cleveland in 2009. Aaron Rodgers was Green Bay’s quarterback that day and, barring an injury, will quarterback the Packers again in their return trip. The Browns have started 15 different quarterbacks in that same time period.

Week 15 @ Chicago: The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 but have only faced the Bears 15 times. Cleveland’s last win in Chicago came in 1969 as the Browns rallied from a 14-point deficit to win the game on a seven-yard touchdown run by Ron Johnson.

Week 16 @ Pittsburgh: The Browns will close out the season in Pittsburgh for the eight time since 2008. Need we say that Cleveland is 0-7 in those previous eight meetings?

Next: ESPN gives Browns almost no chance at playoffs

There you go, 16 interesting facts on the upcoming season.

Could a 10-6 finish by the Browns be any more of a lock?

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