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Browns 2021 NFL Schedule Release: AFC North Breakdown

By Greg Newland

CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns gives instructions to his team against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 25: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns gives instructions to his team against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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sheldon richardson, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of an NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal] /

Cincinnati Bengals

Although the Cincinnati Bengals only finished the 2020 season with a 4-11-1 record, there are a ton of things to be positive about. They appear to have a long-term answer at quarterback in Joe Burrow, who appeared to be the real deal in his rookie campaign before getting injured.

Additionally, the Bengals have been very active in free agency bringing in guys like Trey Hendrickson, Chidobe Awuzie, Larry Ogunjobi, and Riley Reiff. While there were a lot of additions, they did lose Carl Lawson and A.J. Green (can we call him the other A.J. green now?).

While the Bengals will be improved, I’m not sure they are ready to take the leap, but a fourth-place schedule that drew teams like the Jaguars, Jets, and the Broncos will certainly help.

The Bengals open with the Vikings, Bears, Steelers, and Jaguars. If they can start off the season 2-2, they will be heading in the right direction. They then move to the Packers, Lions, Ravens, and Jets.  Once again, they must split these to have any chance to compete.

The next four-game stretch gets tougher as they face the Browns, Raiders, Steelers, and Chargers where it is likely they only find one win. The next stretch isn’t much better as they play the 49ers, Broncos, Ravens, Chiefs, and then end once again with the Browns.  Likely another scenario where they are lucky to find one or two wins.

The Bengals will keep games close but expected this to be a 5-12 or 6-11 season. The team will find out quickly they should have had a bigger focus on protecting Burrow and will need another offseason before they are ready to really compete.

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