Cleveland Browns: Ranking 2018’s schedule from easiest to hardest

12. Week 14 vs Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are a confusing team, really. Throughout the 2015-2016 NFL season, they looked like the birth of a dynasty. Led by the monstrous Cam Newton, the Panthers ran roughshod through the NFC and caused the advent of the “dab” before falling to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

Now, they seem like a shell of their former selves. Christian McCaffrey, while a very nice piece, has not seen his full potential. Luke Kuechly is a stud, but the defense hasn’t been the same since cornerback Josh Norman went to Washington for a paycheck.

Additionally, the once eye-popping Newton has become like the player he was while at Auburn. That is to say, using his freakish athleticism and ridiculous arm strength just to get by. In the NFL, that is flat-out unacceptable.

Combine Carolina’s recent mediocrity with Cleveland’s home-field advantage (in the winter) and favorable match-up, and you’ve got the recipe for a Cleveland win. Dabbers no more, look for the Browns to take down Newton and the Panthers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

11. Week 4 vs Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are the most confusing team in the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers still dominate the division, the Browns are on the rise, and the Cincinnati Bengals are on the way out. So what are the Ravens doing?

Quarterback Joe Flacco is a microcosm of what the Ravens will likely be in 2018. Pretty good, maybe, but definitely no longer elite, if they ever were. Are they still better than the Browns? Yes, probably. But do the Browns actually have a chance to defeat them in 2018? Yes.

There is nothing about this game that says the Browns should win; the Ravens have experience, the statistical matchup edge, and likely more talent. But the Browns are much younger, much hungrier, and the talent difference is the smallest it’s been in years. Maybe they really could take this one.