4 Home Games to Watch with Browns Schedule Release

With the NFL schedule release set for Thursday evening, there are some key matchups to keep an eye on the Cleveland Browns. Beyond the divisional games, which are always important, especially with how competitive the AFC North could be this year, four home games outside the division stand out as games to watch and potentially attend. They could also be the difference between the Browns qualifying for the postseason this year.

This year, the Browns and the rest of the AFC North will face off against the NFC West and the AFC South. The rest are a product of their fourth place finish in 2022, yet two of those games make this list.

San Francisco 49ers

The last time these two teams played, the 49ers destroyed the Browns 31-3 in 2019. These two teams don't face off much and it's even rarer that the Browns enjoy the experience.

Even as it's unclear who will be the starting quarterback for the 49ers this season with the injury to Brock Purdy, they still have championship aspirations in what continues to look like a weak NFC conference.

The Browns face what should be one of the best defenses in the league in their own building. For an offense that aspires to carry this team, it's quite the gauntlet. The Browns have a terrific offensive line and they're going to need them against the talented 49ers front.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It's not often the Jaguars are a marquee game, but the Browns going up against an emerging Trevor Lawrence has the potential to be one of the more entertaining matchups of the Browns season and it will happen in Cleveland.

The reigning AFC South champs have a great shot to repeat and are looking to build off of their success in the playoffs last year. They were able to come back from a 27-7 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the wildcard round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

There are no shortage of people who believe Lawrence is going to establish himself as an elite quarterback this season. This retooled Browns defense led by Jim Schwartz could make a statement if they can can shut this group down.

Chicago Bears

The last time these two teams played each other, Justin Fields was a rookie and the Browns had one of the best defensive performances in franchise history. The Bears gained a total of 47 yards. Fields was sacked nine times, including 4.5 from Myles Garrett. He only completed six passes in the game.

Fields certainly hasn't forgotten. Neither he nor the Bears were ready for that game. Now in year three, he will be eager to show how much better he's gotten. The game takes place in Cleveland, just two hours away from where he had an outstanding college career for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

There will be plenty of fans of both the Browns and Buckeyes that are eager to watch this game and see their team face off a Buckeye great.

New York Jets

Up two scores with less than two minutes to go, the Browns gagged their week two game against the Jets last year. A huge missed opportunity that lingered for the rest of the season. The Browns beat the Carolina Panthers on the road in the opener and then defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night after this game. Instead of being 3-0, the Browns were 2-1 and finished the easiest part of their schedule with a mediocre 2-2 record. They never recovered.

This game will again be in Cleveland. Both the Browns will feature different quarterbacks this year and have significantly different expectations. Both the Browns, now quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson and the Jets with Aaron Rodgers expect to make the playoffs this year. This could prove a pivotal game, since it's outside the division but still within the conference and will have an impact on potential tie-breakers. The Browns can slay plenty of personal demons in this game while showing they can beat a quarterback the caliber of Rodgers.