On paper, the Browns have the easiest 2026 schedule based on records of their opponents in 2025.
All of that flies out the window after coaching changes, free agency additions and the NFL draft.
I believe a true strength-of-schedule is determined not by which teams the Browns play, but when they play them.
With that caveat in mind, here is a comprehensive look at the Browns game-by-game schedule four months before the season begins.
Game 1, September 13, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
What’s good about this game
The Browns get the first look at the new, reinvented Travis Hunter. GM Andrew Berry termed the two-position Colorado star a unicorn prior to the 2025 draft, but gave him up to the Jaguars for a “godfather” offer. The end result of that trade was Hunter in exchange for defensive tackle Mason Graham, running back Quinshon Judkins, running back Dylan Sampson, and wide receiver KC Concepcion. Hunter’s rookie season was ended prematurely by an LCL tear in his right knee. Berry saw Hunter as a receiver first and cornerback second. The Jaguars intend to incorporate Hunter as a cornerback first. He’d need to be a modern version of Deion Sanders – his college coach — to justify the haul of goods the Browns received for him.
What’s bad about this game
The average temperature in Jacksonville on September 13 is 87.5 degrees and the average heat index, figuring in humidity, is 100.
Game 2, September 20, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
What’s good
While Baker Mayfield’s W-L record with the Bucs (27-24) is just a tad better than his with the Browns (29-30), there’s no debate the quarterback has strung together his best years in three seasons in Tampa (66.3% completions, 95 touchdowns v. 37 interceptions, passer rating of 97.4). At $100 million over those three years, Mayfield actually was a bargain. Over that time, however, Mayfield benefitted from future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans. Sure, Evans slowed down after reaching age 30 in 2023, but Mayfield definitely will feel his absence after Evans departed to San Francisco in free agency.
What’s bad
Average temperature in Tampa on September 20 is 89 degrees and the average heat index is 105.
Game 3, September 27, home v. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
What’s good
The Panthers won their first two games in Cleveland during the early years of the Browns’ expansion rebirth. They since have lost their last two in 2010 and 2018.
What’s bad
Diminutive quarterback Bryce Young has decreased his sack total from 62 his rookie year to 29 and 27 the last two seasons. The Panthers have strengthened that endeavor with the drafting of receiver Tetairoa McMillan in 2025 and offensive tackle additions of Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling in 2026.
Game 4, October 2, home v. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m.
What’s good
In their expansion era, the Browns are 9-1 at home on Thursday night and have won nine in a row. They have also defeated the Steelers in Cleveland in four straight meetings and six of the last seven.
What’s bad
The Steelers have been offensively inept in the four seasons since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Finally addressing that fact, the Steelers replaced coach Mike Tomlin, who has stepped into an NBC analyst role, with offensive-minded Mike McCarthy, and added receivers Michael Pittman and rookie Germie Bernard, and offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, to help quarterback Aaron Rodgers have one last great season before retiring after his age-43 year.
Game 5, October 11, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Quarterback Geno Smith has played the Browns with four different teams, including his first stint with the Jets. Though 3-1 against the Browns, Smith threw two interceptions and took 11 sacks in his last two meetings.
What’s bad
In their stunning 27-20 win over the Browns last year, the Jets scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 74-yard punt return in 36 seconds of game time. Not surprisingly, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo was the only coordinator not fired by head coach Aaron Glenn after the season.
Game 6, October 18, home v. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Todd Monken appears to be a coach that would convey to his players what it would mean to him personally to beat the Ravens in his first meeting with his former team.
What’s bad
The last five times the Ravens visited Cleveland, the Browns’ starting quarterbacks have been Dillon Gabriel, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Deshaun Watson, and Baker Mayfield. If Shedeur Sanders gets the call in this game, it will be six different starters in six seasons.
Game 7, October 25, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Some coaches have an immediate effect when they take over a new team. Robert Saleh didn’t do that when he took over the Jets in 2021. They were 2-14 in 2020 under Adam Gase and improved merely to 4-13 under Saleh. In Saleh’s second year in New York, the Jets were blasted 37-20 in that playoff-clinching Browns win behind Joe Flacco. I wouldn’t expect a jolt of improvement in the Titans in Saleh’s first season in Tennessee.
What’s bad
The Titans’ commitment to quarterback Cam Ward resulted in the addition of Brian Daboll as his new offensive coordinator and Carnell Tate as his WR1. Ward-to-Tate could be interesting new battery.
Game 8, November 1, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
What’s good
The Steelers play the previous week in Paris, France, against the Saints and don’t get a bye week to recover from the long return trip home.
What’s bad
After 22 consecutive regular-season losses in Pittsburgh, everything is bad.
Game 9, November 8, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
What’s good
I had to recheck the numbers three times to believe it. Although the Caesars Superdome has become an intimidating venue for visiting teams, the Browns are 3-2 there in their expansion era (0-2 in the last two meetings). It was the site of the reborn franchise’s first win in 1999.
What’s bad
Freed from salary cap hell, the Saints appear to be a team on the rise. Head coach Kellen Moore had QB Tyler Shough trending up in the second half of 2025 with four wins in his last five starts. The Saints added rookie receivers Jordan Tyson and Bryce Lance, and free agent running back Travis Etienne, to keep it going.
Game 10, November 15, home v. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Although the Texans have expressed much support behind C.J. Stroud, it’s a critical year for the quarterback who has struggled in the two years since his rookie season. Stroud’s fifth-year option was picked up for 2027, but a new mega-deal hinges on his performance in 2026. That could affect Stroud.
What’s bad
The Texans believe their offensive line is mostly responsible for Stroud’s fall-off. To that end, they added three starters up front – free agents Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith, and first-round draft pick Keylan Rutledge. And coach DeMeco Ryans seems to have the Browns’ number.
Game 11, November 29, home v. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Fernando Mendoza’s going to be a franchise-changing QB, I believe. The Raiders added Klint Kubiak as head coach and Tyler Linderbaum at center to join tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. But their offensive line remains a weakness. Hopefully, bridge QB Kirk Cousins will be on the bench by this game.
What’s bad
I’ve seen so many southern or dome-based teams in recent years come to Cleveland and not be fazed by inclement weather conditions. Don’t expect the Raiders to lose because of bad weather.
Game 12, December 6, home v. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Although Joe Burrow has won his last two starts in Cleveland, they have been struggles for him. In five games in Huntington Bank Field, Burrow’s completion percentage (60.0) and passer rating (86.9) are significantly below his career marks (68.5 and 101.1).
What’s bad
The Bengals have plagued Burrow with poor pass protection and even worse defense in recent years. Alas, that is changing. They added center Connor Lew in the draft, which could result in an overall strengthing of their O-line, and improved their defense by trading for tackle Dexter Lawrence; signing D-linemen Jonathan Allen and Boya Mafe, and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Duggar in free agency; and adding end Cashius Howell in the draft.
Game 13, December 13, home v. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
What’s good
If Tua Tagovailoa is still quarterbacking the Falcons’ offense at this point, his record in cold weather will be much discussed leading up to this game. In Tagovailoa’s six seasons with the Dolphins, his record in games played at below 40 degrees was 0-5. Below 45 degrees, he was 1-6. Below 50 degrees, 2-8. Below 55 degrees, 4-13.
What’s bad
Stoic Kevin Stefanski told me at NFL owner meetings that he carries a chip on shoulder after being fired by the Browns for the first time in his coaching career. If his new players feel for him, it could give the Falcons a small edge they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Game 14, December 20, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
What’s good
Monken will have his team fired up to oppose coach John Harbaugh, his former boss in Baltimore.
What’s bad
With the Ravens, Harbaugh was 28-8 against the Browns.
Game 15, December 27, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
What’s good
The Browns have lost nine of their last 10 meetings in Baltimore. The only win was led by Deshaun Watson’s 14-of-14 second-half performance, in which he made up a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Greg Newsome’s Pick 6 helped a lot.
What’s bad
The Ravens seldom lose to the Browns in Baltimore. They’re 21-6 at home against the Browns.
Game 16, January 3, home v. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
What’s good
In his seven NFL seasons, QB Daniel Jones has suffered season-ending injuries in 2021 (cervical neck strain), 2023 (ACL tear), and 2025 (torn Achilles tendon). The Colts’ backup quarterback is Riley Leonard.
What’s bad
For some inexplicable reason, the dome-based Colts have won six of seven meetings in Cleveland in the Browns’ expansion era.
Game 17, January 9 or 10, at Cincinnati Bengals, kickoff TBD
What’s good
Since 1999, the Browns’ record of 8-16 in Cincinnati stands as their best road record against division opponents. They won there last year in Stefanski’s lame-duck game as Browns coach.
What’s bad
Vegas rates the Bengals as the second favorite to win the AFC North. This game could have playoff ramifications for the Bengals.