3 potential trap games on the 2023 Cleveland Browns schedule

On Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns schedule was released as the NFL unveiled its agenda for the 2023 campaign. There were leaks throughout the day as we learned quickly the season would begin with a showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals.

It ends with a road trip to Cincy and there are many other exciting games in-between including a Monday Night Football contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 and an Oct. 15 showdown with the San Fransisco 49ers.

There are also a few trap games to worry about as well. These are games the Browns should win since they're the better team, but in the NFL, that doesn't always equate to winning. On any given Sunday (or Monday, Thursday, Black Friday, etc.) an underdog can come in and upset the superior team, especially if that better team looks past the opponent.

Now with the schedule known, here's a look at three games that could wind up being traps for Cleveland.

No. 3: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns, Week 9

Cleveland has a road trip out west in Week 8 as they take on the Seattle Seahawks and in Week 10, they travel to Maryland to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Sandwiched between those contests is a home game with the Arizona Cardinals, which feels like the ultimate trap game.

Both Seattle and Baltimore made the playoffs in 2022 whereas the Cardinals were just 4-13. They're also going to be working with a new head coach, Jonathan Gannon, who has his work cut out for him.

Even though this is expected to be a tough season for Gannon and the Cards, Cleveland can't go into this one expecting it to be easy. If they do, this could wind up being a very frustrating outing.

No. 2: Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts, Week 7

Cleveland will have an early bye week as they take their break at Week 5, right after their first meeting with the Baltimore Ravens. They'll remain at home as well, with the 49ers coming to town in Week 6 — and that extra week to prepare for them could really help given how tough San Francisco is.

Whatever the outcome of that game is, the Browns have to ensure they don't let their focus wane. As soon as they're done with the Niners, they'll hit the road in Week 7 for just the second time (they're at home following the Pittsburgh game from Week 2 through 6). Their destination this time will be Indianapolis as they face the Colts.

On the outside looking in, this should be a one-sided affair. Indy was an abysmal 4-12-1 last year and while they did bring in a solid offensive coach in Shane Steichen, they're just starting a rebuild. That includes making a change under center as the No. 4 overall pick, Anthony Richardson, should start.

Richardson is far from a refined player but that doesn't mean he should be taken lightly. His accuracy might need work but he's arguably the most athletic quarterback in the league and if Cleveland's not careful, he could make them pay. They also have Josh Downs, who is quickly becoming a favorite of Richardson's.

With San Francisco in Week 6 and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8, the Browns will play two NFC playoff teams in a three-week period. They need to make sure they don't focus too much on them and look past the Colts.

No. 1: Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns, Week 16

Even with a couple of bold moves in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans shouldn't be able to knock off the Browns. Right now, Cleveland simply has the superior team. They're better in the trenches, at skill positions, and even under center — and they beat them easily in 2022 with Deshaun Watson showing signs of major rust.

Having said that, the Texans did add a lot of talent this offseason. Under center, they'll be turning to Ohio State product C.J. Stroud — who they took at No. 2 overall. He has some new weapons as well with Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods, and Tank Dell joining this year. Plus 2022 second-round pick John Metchie is expected to return as well.

On defense, they added Will Anderson after trading up to No. 3, making the second and third picks in this draft. Anderson joins Jimmie Ward, Sheldon Rankins, and Denzel Perryman on a defense that will be led by DeMeco Ryans.

All of that being said, Cleveland should still be able to win this season but they can't go in expecting it to be easy. They also can't afford to look past them on this Christmas Eve meeting with the New York Jets coming to town on Thursday night the following week.

Should they be guilty of this, it could turn out to be a dogfight, especially given Ryans' track record as a defensive coach with the San Francisco 49ers.