Cleveland Browns schedule release: 2022 full-season predictions
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL had their schedule released on Thursday. Now we look ahead and predict the outcome of each game in 2022.
On Thursday night, the NFL officially released the 2022 schedule and the Cleveland Browns found out they would be starting the season on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
Week 1 will be huge for the Browns since they have not started a season 1-0 since they defeated Baltimore in their opener back in 2004. Since then, they have had one tie — which was in 2018 against the Pittsburgh Steelers— but have lost every other game.
This season, they do stand a decent shot at getting that elusive 1-0 mark, but how will things go from there? Here, we look at all 17 games in the Browns 2022 season and predict their overall record.
Week 1, Sept. 11: Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers
One storyline here will be the fact that the Carolina Panthers failed to land Deshaun Watson in a trade as he preferred the Browns. Also, the Panthers have been one of the few teams linked to Baker Mayfield ‚— so there could be a sort of reunion there.
In the end, this feels like the Browns best chance at getting a Week 1 win in many years. Carolina struggled after their 3-0 start last season and Matt Rhule is on the hottest of seats. Throw in Watson being pumped to be playing again and this should be an easy win.
Prediction: Browns 26, Panthers 17
Week 2, Sept. 18: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets
The New York Jets are a sneaky team. They could end up being really good by the end of 2022. The good news for Cleveland, is that they’re young and will need time to get. The Browns win the home opener, but it’s closer than expected.
Prediction: Browns 21, Jets 20
Week 3, Sept. 22: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (TNF)
The first of two guaranteed prime-time games for the Browns comes in Week 3 when they host the hated Steelers. Pittsburgh most likely will be starting Mitchell Trubisky, and the Browns finally have the edge under center. September is off to a hot start as they make it look easy in this one.
Prediction: Browns 31, Steelers 20