After Ben Roethlisberger dominated the Browns to the tune of 26-2-1, the Browns allowed successor Kenny Pickett to start his careeer 1-0 v. the Browns.
A closer look at the Browns’ 2023 schedule
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
A closer look at the Browns 2023 schedule …
Game 1, Sept. 10, 1 p.m., home v. Cincinnati Bengals
So the NFL goes NASCAR and schedules the Daytona 500 on the first week of the season. Best Browns home game of the year right off the bat. Why? You might say the Browns have an edge because of a new defensive coordinator and Jim Schwartz won’t show anything in preseason. That edge will last for about one quarter. Myles Garrett has dominated the Bengals and Joe Burrow. That’s why the Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. Burrow has never won in Cleveland. He knows it.
Game 2, Sept. 18, 8:15 p.m., at Pittsburgh Steelers
Nobody can ever take away the Browns’ AFC wild-card win in Pittsburgh in the COVID season of 2020. But there were only a few hundred Steelers’ family and friends in attendance on that day. Other than that, the Browns haven’t won in Pittsburgh since Tim Couch had the game of his life – and his last Browns’ win – in 2003. That’s 19 years of Steelers dominance. Utterly ridiculous.
Game 3, Sept. 24, 1 p.m., home v. Tennessee Titans
No excuses.
Game 4, Oct. 1, 1 p.m., home v. Baltimore Ravens
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is the only new coordinator in the division for the Browns to scout. Monken’s spread offense will not necessarily reduce Lamar Jackson’s running. More likely, it will make him more dangerous running from an alignment that creates wider lanes for him. Plus, he has new receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers.
Week 5, Oct. 8, bye
Earliest possible bye week. Not optimal.
Game 5, Oct. 15, 1 p.m., home v. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan’s first game in Cleveland since he begged Jimmy Haslam to let him out of his contract as Browns offensive coordinator after the 2014 season because GM Ray Farmer was texting to the sidelines to play Johnny Manziel and dysfunction was rampant. Shanahan has since coached in two Super Bowls and has eyes focused on a third.
Game 6, Oct. 22, 1 p.m., at Indianapolis Colts
Rookie Anthony Richardson figures to be in the Colts’ quarterback cockpit. Again, no excuses.
Game 7, Oct. 29, 4:05 p.m., at Seattle Seahawks
I had to check. Yes, the Browns have won three times in Seattle. The last time was in 1989 in the Seattle Kingdom. Bernie Kosar was quarterback, Bud Carson was coach, and Clay Matthews had an interception. That’s the longest drought on this schedule.
Game 8, Nov. 5, 1 p.m., home v. Arizona Cardinals
If Kyler Murray isn’t back from ACL surgery, Colt McCoy likely would be Cardinals quarterback. How about some love for McCoy, Browns third-round draft pick in 2010? There were 14 quarterbacks drafted in his class. He’s the only one still active.
Game 9, Nov. 12, 1 p.m., at Baltimore Ravens
No problem. Browns have five wins there in 23 years.
Game 10, Nov. 19, 1 p.m., home v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last four meetings in Cleveland: Browns two wins, Steelers one win, one tie.
Game 11, Nov. 26, 4:05 p.m., at Denver
Browns have one win in the Mile High City in 21 years. Hey, that’s better than their record in Pittsburgh.
Game 12, Dec. 3, 4:35 p.m., at Los Angeles Rams
Browns will depart for L.A. after game in Denver and stay on the West Coast to eliminate a one travel week. They haven’t played the Rams in California since losing to them in Anaheim on Sept. 9, 1984 – my very first game as Browns beat writer in my newspaper days.
Game 13, Dec. 10, 1 p.m., home v. Jacksonville Jaguars
For some reason, the Jaguars have had the Browns’ number, especially in Cleveland, where they have won seven of nine meetings.
Game 14, Dec. 16-17, TBD, home v. Chicago Bears
Why this game is eligible to be flexed to Saturday is anyone’s guess. This is another “no excuses” game for the Browns.
Game 15, Dec. 24, 1 p.m., at Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson’s second appearance against his former team should go better than his first. A pre-game snub from Hannah McNair, wife of the owner, added to Watson’s anxiety in his first NFL game in 700 days last year.
Game 16, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m., home v. New York Jets
Just a ridiculous scheduling quirk – a Thursday night game on a short Christmas week. Unlike the Jets, however, the Browns do get to stay at home.
Game 17, TBD, Jan. 6-7, at Cincinnati Bengals
It could be for the division title or for playoff seeding or for nothing if the Bengals have clinched the division title . At the same time, the Steelers will be playing the Ravens in Baltimore. Great theater if the two games are meaningful.
