Way Too Early Predictions for Browns 2023 Record

The NFL has released the 2023 schedule and the Cleveland Browns now know when they will be playing their opponents in this pivotal season. It's going to be a brutal battle within the division and there are only three wildcards to be had in a loaded conference, but before the Browns have had a single practice, let's go ahead and lay out how the season is going to go.

Early impressions of the schedule is that it's difficult right out of the gate, having three of their divisional games in the first month of the season. They also host a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers, as well as a long road trip to play the Seattle Seahawks.

The two things coaches and players always want to find first are the bye and any Thursday night games. This year, the Browns get an early bye in week five, which could be valuable for them. A difficult month followed by an opportunity to regroup and recharge before going on to the meat of the schedule. They have a Thursday night game, which will give them the mini-bye to potentially get healthy and finish out the season strong as they make a push for the postseason.

Sept. 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Browns open their season within the division hosting the Bengals. The second game these two teams played in 2022 is the first time Joe Burrow has been able to defeat the Browns in his young career.

The Browns will be debuting the Jim Schwartz led defense as well as their offense tailored to Deshaun Watson. Meanwhile, the Bengals believe this will be the best offensive line Burrow has had in his career. They are also introducing some new pieces on defense, especially at the safety position with both Jesse Bates III and Von Bell now on NFC South teams.

Purely on matchups, this game tends to favor the Browns. Their balanced offense has been able to cause problems Lou Anarumo's defense and the Browns have talented enough corners to at least compete with the star-studded Bengals trio. This could come down to how well the Bengals can protect Burrow.

Way Too Early Prediction: Bengals

Sept. 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday Night Football)

The Browns get their first matchup with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett early in the year on prime time. The Steelers have invested in upgrades to the left side of their offensive line which could boost their running game. Those things in combination could give Pickett a boost.

Defensively, the Browns have a brand new set of linebackers and corners while bolstering their defensive front.

Myles Garrett will facing a rookie left tackle in his second ever game. Last season, he faced off against Icky Ekwonu in the opener against the Carolina Panthers and had two sacks.

The Steelers could take a major step forward, but it's going to be difficult to have it all working this early in the year.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Sept. 24 vs. Tennessee Titans

The Titans are a team that is on the brink of rebuilding but doesn't truly want to embrace it. That could change, but if they trade off pieces, it will probably be after this game. The Titans still have Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, but they currently have the worst wide receivers in the league.

Defensively, the Titans are still pretty solid and head coach Mike Vrabel has gotten plenty out of their talent. The physicality of this game could be the issue and perhaps carry over into the following week.

Still, the Browns should be able to find a way to stop what may be a one-dimensional offense.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Oct. 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens

This will be the first time the Browns get to see Lamar Jackson playing in the Todd Monken offense. More receivers, more speed, forcing them to cover more grass. So much will depend on how quickly the Ravens can acclimate to this new offense.

The Browns defense is pretty well equipped to defend Jackson and have the corners to matchup with their receivers. This could come down to whether or not the Browns are strong enough up front to stop the Ravens on the ground and avoid needing to commit extra defenders to the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, the Ravens look strong up the middle but have questions outside. They should have plenty of time to find the corners to play along with Marlon Humphrey, but that edge rush could limit what this defense can achieve this year. That could also give them trouble when it comes to trying to defend the Browns running game and their RPOs specifically designed to attack edge defenders.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Oct. 8 - BYE

Oct. 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers

From here, this is the best team the Browns will face from the NFC. The 49ers are a Super Bowl contender and this is a measuring stick game.

The 49ers defense is a difficult matchup for anyone. This is the type of game that shows why the Browns invest so many resources into the offensive line and get a franchise quarterback.

It's unclear who is going to be playing quarterback for the 49ers but Kyle Shanahan is a frustrating coach to defend. He's able to attack pressure points and scheme receivers open which allows almost any quarterback to find some level of success.

Way Too Early Prediction: 49ers

Oct. 22 at Indianapolis Colts

Will Anthony Richardson be the quarterback at this point? The Colts have the pieces to put together a strong running game so long as their offensive line can bounce back from last year. A healthy Jonathan Taylor would also make a big difference, but if the Browns have to account for Richardson as well, it could be problematic.

They have a defense with a strong interior that will try to force the Browns to pass. They may not have the edge pressure to pay it off, allowing Deshaun Watson the time to pick them apart. Turnovers will be critical in this game. If the Browns protect the ball, they should be in a great position to win.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Oct. 29 at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks were able to make the playoffs after they were left for dead last year in the wake of the Russell Wilson trade. Now they get to add in the players they acquired with the picks in that swap, four top 52 picks in all this year.

Rookie corner Devon Witherspoon across from Tariq Woolen could be a formidable pairing. Jackson Smith-Njigba will be playing with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Zach Charbonnet joins Kenneth Walker III in the Seahawks backfield and Derick Hall was added to try to bolster their pass rush.

On paper, the Browns are the better team than the Seahawks, but that west coast trip is always difficult and tends to level the playing field.

Way Too Early Prediction: Seahawks

Nov. 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are in a full-on rebuild. This is in the area where Kyler Murray could potentially be ready to play and they still have Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins.

New head coach Jonathan Gannon is going to have his hands full with a depleted defense. The Browns should have an overwhelming talent advantage in this one and have this game at home.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Nov. 12 at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens will likely have settled into a groove at this point. If it all comes together, that offense is going to be dangerous. It can force opponents to use a ton of different personnel groups and spread teams out or condense as it suits them. They just have to have enough time to figure out the right combination and keep exploiting it.

Way Too Early Prediction: Ravens

Nov. 19 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Assuming they don't get killed by injuries, the Steelers could make marked improvement by this point in the season. They have multiple rookies that should have plenty of reps under their belt in addition to units that were put together this offseason on the defensive side of the ball.

The early bye is a blessing in some ways, but it wouldn't be a surprise for them to get caught in a week where they just don't have it physically and lose as a result. The Steelers have always been a team that can take advantage of that and find a way to win.

Way Too Early Prediction: Steelers

Nov. 26 at Denver Broncos

Sean Payton is the head coach, which is already an upgrade on Nathaniel Hackett. And while Russell Wilson is recovered from the injury he had last year, the Broncos aren't taking any chances. They've invested in building an offensive line that can bully people and clear paths for the running game, which should open up opportunities for Wilson and the passing game.

The Broncos have a talented defense, but they are switching defensive coordinators as Ejiro Evero went to Carolina in the offseason. It should still be a formidable group, but there is a small risk of a brain drain.

Way Too Early Prediction: Broncos

Dec. 3 at Los Angeles Rams

The Rams still have Aaron Donald and Matthew Stafford, but they are practically an expansion team with how many rookies they are going to be playing this year after forfeiting so many assets for the sake of their Super Bowl.

The Browns need to make sure they don't allow themselves to play down to this type of opponent. It's a game they should win.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Dec. 10 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars won the AFC South and are in great position to repeat as they look to build on their success from last year.

It's all about Trevor Lawrence. Many expect him to establish himself as an elite quarterback this year. In addition to Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, the Jaguars will be adding Calvin Ridley to their offense fresh off his year-long suspension.

On the defensive side of the ball, their front could be improved this year. Travon Walker has enormous expectations and they already have a terrific edge rusher in Josh Allen. They have a handful of massive bodies to plug up the middle and control the line of scrimmage.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Dec. 17 vs. Chicago Bears

Justin Fields has improved and could be much better by the time this game rolls around. He has weapons and at least some offensive linemen. But they had the top pick in the 2023 draft for a reason and they may be better, but they are still missing a ton of pieces.

This is a game the Browns should win. Weird things happen every year, but this in a list of games the Browns need to rack up wins.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Dec. 24 at Houston Texans

The Texans have Bryce Young and Will Anderson and plenty of time to get themselves acclimated to the NFL. Their defense isn't bad and Anderson could really tie everything together off the edge.

Offensively, they've got some pieces in place. Laremy Tunstil is outstanding at left tackle. Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods could productive vets to go along with some of their younger players. The Browns defeated the Texans last year, but they found out first hand just how unpleasant it is to tackle Dameon Pearce over the course of a football game. That could be taxing ahead with a short turnaround the following week.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Dec. 28 vs. New York Jets (Thursday Night Football)

This is a big game for the Browns after failing to close out the Jets last year up two scores with less than two minutes to go in the game. The Browns have made significant changes to the roster but this is a matchup everyone on the team will be circling. They need to redeem themselves and this could be important in the playoff race.

Even if one ignores how they gagged this game last year, Aaron Rodgers elevates this game as does the fact it will be on primetime. It's a great opportunity for the Browns to increase their legitimacy.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

Jan. 7 at Cincinnati Bengals

These two teams will be completely different from the ones that faced off in week one. It'll be interesting to see who improved more as they figured out who they are this year.

The 10-day layoff comes at a critical time for the Browns and could serve as an ideal spot to rest if they can make the playoffs. That might be enough of an advantage to carry them in this one.

Way Too Early Prediction: Browns

The Browns finish with an 11-6 record, split the division, and finish on a seven-game win streak storming into the postseason. Even if the Browns were to drop a game in that last stretch, it's relatively forgiving after such a brutal slog for most of the year. They have to survive that long and maintain strength, showing they have the fortitude to kick and finish out the season that strong.