With the Cleveland Browns in their bye week, it's as good a time as any to look ahead to the remaining games on the schedule. Here, we'll look at all 14 games and predict whether the Browns will win or lose, and if they do wind up back in the playoffs.
Before we dive into that, let's take a look at the first game-by-game prediction that took place back in May when the schedule was announced. A lot has changed since then so maybe the predictions will change. Let's also see how close the predictions were in the first four weeks.
Originally, the predictions were a loss to the Bengals in Week 1 and wins in Weeks 2-4 over Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Baltimore. While two of those wins didn't happen, they did take it to Cincinnati in Week 1 and that means they're sitting at 2-2 instead of the 3-1 which was predicted in May.
With that being said, let's dive in and see what's in store for the Cleveland Browns after the bye week.
Week 6: 49ers at Browns
When the schedule was announced, this game was predicted to be a 21-10 win for the San Francisco 49ers. The Browns were also supposed to be coming off a huge win over Baltimore.
With the loss suffered in Week 4, Cleveland will do a better job of moving the ball on offense. However, the Niners offense has looked better than expected with Brock Purdy fully healthy after elbow surgery.
Cleveland does all they can but the 49ers defense keeps them from being able to pull off a win. Fans might be ready to throw in the towel here, but shouldn't since there are some winnable games coming up.
Final Score: 49ers 21, Browns 10
Cleveland Browns Record 2-3
Week 7: Browns at Colts
After the meeting with San Francisco, the schedule gets a little lighter for the Browns. That starts with a visit to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in Week 7. Indy has been better than expected with a mark of 2-2 and that includes a win over Baltimore.
Having said that, this Cleveland defense should be able to keep Anthony Richardson from lighting up the scoreboard. He's sure to pick up some rushing yards but Jim Schwartz will make sure he doesn't throw it all over the yard. That leads to a win, even though it might be a closer contest than expected.
Final Score: Browns 27, Colts 24
Cleveland Browns Record 3-3
Week 8: Browns at Seahawks
Ever since Geno Smith took over for Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks have been a tough out for anyone. To kick off the 2023 campaign, they were one of the teams to watch thanks to an impressive season last year, which ended with them in the playoffs.
Expectations dipped when the L.A. Rams shocked them with a 31-13 win but since then, they dropped 30 points twice, defeated the Lions in OT, and just won 24-3 against the Giants. Cleveland can still keep it close but this one is on the road and the 'Hawks typically have a decent home-field advantage. If this was in Cleveland, it would tip in the Browns favor. Since it's not, they suffer a frustrating loss on the road.
Final Score: Seahawks 34, Browns 31
Cleveland Browns Record 3-4
Week 9: Cardinals at Browns
This is another game that might not be as easy as it seems. The Arizona Cardinals have just one win, which came in Week 3 when they shocked the Dallas Cowboys. They can sneak up on teams if they're not prepared — and Josh Dobbs is playing smart and efficient football.
Having said that, this coaching staff knows Dobbs, so he won't be surprising them as he did Dallas. Look for him to put together a few solid drives and keep it close until a late sack from Myles Garrett stops the Cards in their tracks, getting back to .500 on the year.
Final Score: Browns 23, Cardinals 17
Cleveland Browns Record 4-4
Week 10: Browns at Ravens
The Ravens came into the Dawg Pound and beat the Browns "in front of their wives and kids." Now, they get a chance at revenge as they head into Baltimore.
Cleveland took a lot of heat for their loss in Week 4 and that means there will be several players who circle this on their calendar. Another person who is looking forward to this is Jim Schwartz, who will get a re-match against Todd Monken with his defense prevailing this time.
Final Score: Browns 22, Ravens 18
Cleveland Browns Record 5-4
Week 11: Steelers at Browns
Another revenge game comes up as the Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. Cleveland should have won their first meeting despite throwing a pick-six on the opening play. In fact, they had several miscues but still had the game in hand until the fourth quarter when T.J. Watt picked up a fumble caused by Alex Highsmith and ran it in for the winning score.
Take away those 14 points that the offense spotted the Steelers and this would have been a 22-12 win. The defense clearly has their number but this time, the offense shows up with a stronger focus. That ends up making it a long night for Pittsburgh.
Final Score: Browns 28, Steelers 10
Cleveland Browns Record 6-4
Week 12: Browns at Broncos
Cleveland improved to 6-4 in Week 11 and now, they head to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos. Despite their huge offseason move for Sean Payton, the Broncos have been a disaster. That doesn't seem as though it will change anytime soon, which is a good thing for the Browns.
This could get ugly for Russell Wilson — another huge move of theirs that hasn't panned out — as Myles Garrett will move around and find the weakness in their defense. Look for them to force a couple of turnovers while the offense has its way with this secondary.
Final Score: Browns 34, Broncos 16
Cleveland Browns Record 7-4
Week 13: Browns at Rams
This is a game I would really love to chalk up as a win for the Browns. Cleveland has a very good secondary and the Rams haven't been great to kick off the 2023 campaign. Even so, Matthew Stafford has thrown for more than 300 yards in three of the first four games as he eases back in following an injury-riddled 2022.
Cooper Kupp is also likely to be back to full strength to go along with breakout star Puka Nacua (who has 501 yards in his first four games) and Tutu Atwell. Playing a team that can move the ball the way they can at their own stadium leads to a close loss on the road.
Final Score: Rams 30, Browns 27
Cleveland Browns Record 7-5
Week 14: Jaguars at Browns
It's easy to think the Jacksonville Jaguars have lost it since they were handed a defeat by the Houston Texans. But that's a divisional game, and they often lose to them early in the year. But under Doug Pederson, they seem to be able to turn it around as the season goes on and they had a solid win in Week 4 following that upsetting loss. Their other loss was to the Kansas City Chiefs, which is understandable.
By Week 14, this offense will be humming. There will be plenty of yards for the offense to take against their defense but in the end, Trevor Lawrence finds a way to upset Deshaun Watson in some Clemson on Clemson crime.
Final Score: Jaguars 33, Browns 31
Cleveland Browns Record 7-6
Week 15: Bears at Browns
With two losses in a row, this game couldn't be more welcome.
The Chicago Bears continue to be a mess and by Week 15, they could very well have a new head coach. Matt Eberflus is on the hot seat due to a 3-18 record which includes a 0-4 start this year (and we thought we had it bad).
A former defensive coach, Eberflus hasn't done enough to fix that side of the ball, nor has he found the right man to call the offense for Justin Fields. Even if they're let go mid-season, it's not likely to change and while Fields will gain yards with his legs, the aerial attack isn't a threat. Cleveland stops the bleeding and gets ready to face Deshanu Watson's old team for the second time in two years.
Final Score: Browns 26, Bears 13
Cleveland Browns Record 8-6
Week 16: Browns at Texans
When the schedule was released, this game appeared to be a blowout win in the making. Cleveland was being praised for their roster moves while everyone was trying to figure out what DeMeco Ryans' team would look like in his first season as the head coach.
Surprisingly, the Texans are 2-2 right now and have a top-10 passing offense under C.J. Stroud. He's been better than anyone expected — well, maybe not for those of us who actually watched him play at Ohio State, but that's a different story.
Stroud continues his solid season and trades blows with Watson but in the end, the veteran team gets the edge. It's also win No. 9, which means no losing season this year.
Final Score: Browns 30, Texans 24
Cleveland Browns Record 9-6
Week 17: Jets at Browns (Thursday Night Football)
Predicted as an upset win on Thursday Night Football, the Browns will now enter Week 17 as the favorites. The New York Jets lost Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles injury after just four snaps and their season is spiraling. Zach Wilson is nowhere near the player Rodgers is and so far, his best highlight is coming close against Kansas City.
Cleveland will struggle on offense, which will be frustrating, but that should be expected against a talented defense. But their defense will be able to tee off on Wilson and should have a fun time under the bright lights.
Final Score: Browns 16, Jets 9
Cleveland Browns Record 10-6
Week 18: Browns at Bengals
The Bengals started their season by losing to the Browns and it made them so mad that Ja'Marr Chase went off about elves. This time, they'll be looking for revenge — but they won't find it.
Cincinnati isn't the same team this year and Joe Burrow is clearly dealing with a larger issue than he's letting on. Continuing to play won't heal his calf, especially with their offensive line.
That line again finds themselves under siege by Cleveland's defensive front, which leads to at least one interception. It won't be as massive a blowout as it was in Week 1 but it will be a comfortable win to improve to 11-6 and make the playoffs. The only question is whether that's enough to take the North from Baltimore, who has the early lead.
Final Score: Browns 31, Bengals 28
Cleveland Browns Record 11-6