What is the Cleveland Browns’ 2021 NFL schedule, how many times will we see them in primetime games, and who are the toughest and easiest opponents on their schedule?
Cleveland Browns Preseason Schedule
All times listed below are Eastern Time.
PS1: at Jaguars | TBD
PS2: vs. Giants | TBD
PS3: at Falcons | 8 PM | NBC
Cleveland Browns Schedule | 2021 Regular Season
All days are Sunday unless otherwise noted. All times listed below are Eastern Time.
Week 1: at Chiefs | 4:25 PM | CBS
Week 2: vs. Texans | 1 PM | CBS
Week 3: vs. Bears | 1 PM | FOX
Week 4: at Vikings | 1 PM | CBS
Week 5: at Chargers | 4:05 PM | CBS
Week 6: vs. Cardinals | 4:05 PM | FOX
Week 7: vs. Broncos | TNF | 8:20 PM | FOX/NFLN/Amazon
Week 8: vs. Steelers | 1 PM | CBS
Week 9: at Bengals | 1 PM | CBS
Week 10: at Patriots | 1 PM | CBS
Week 11: vs. Lions | 1 PM | FOX
Week 12: at Ravens | 8:20 PM | NBC
Week 13: Bye
Week 14: vs. Ravens | 1 PM | CBS
Week 15: vs. Raiders (Flex) | TBD
Week 16: at Packers (Christmas) | Saturday | 4:30 PM | FOX/NFLN
Week 17: at Steelers | MNF | 8:15 PM | ESPN
Week 18: vs. Bengals | 1 PM | CBS
How many primetime games do the Browns play in 2021?
The Browns will play in three primetime games, including Christmas Day at the Packers. The other two primetime games are against the Broncos in Week 7 and the Steelers in Week 17.
When is the Browns’ bye week?
The Browns’ expected bye week will be in Week 13.
Browns’ strength of schedule and win/loss prediction
After breaking their playoff victory drought last season, the Browns’ schedule offers them an opportunity for another successful season in 2021. Heading into the year, Cleveland is tied for third easiest when it comes to the strength of schedule rankings based on Vegas’ projected win totals.
The breakdown of their schedule is intriguing. At home, they face the easiest schedule in the league. On the road, however, their schedule ranks as the second most difficult.
Toughest opponents
The Browns’ 2021 NFL schedule sees them play four games against teams projected to win over 11 games. Three of those come on the road in the form of the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers.
The home game is the return matchup with the Ravens. Cleveland’s record against their division rivals from Baltimore is poor in the past decade. The Browns have won just four matchups since 2010, with their last victory coming in 2019.
Against the Chiefs, the Browns will have an opportunity to exact some revenge against the team that ended their season. Cleveland has lost the last four meetings between the two sides. Nevertheless, they have been within one score on three of those occasions.
The matchup with the Packers is intriguing simply because of the situation with Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers is on the field, a game in Green Bay against the Packers is arguably the toughest of any on this schedule. If Rodgers is absent, however, the Packers are a team that could look very beatable in 2021.
Easiest opponents
Cleveland will play five games in 2021 against teams projected to win seven games or fewer. The Browns’ 2021 NFL schedule has fallen in such a way that four of those come at home, including matchups with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans. The other two games will be home and road matchups with the Cincinnati Bengals. 2020 saw the Browns sweep Cincinnati making it five wins in the past six meetings.
The three games against the Lions, Bears, and Texans are somewhat hard to get a read on. The Lions and Texans have a new head coach, and potentially, new quarterbacks this season. Meanwhile, the Bears could hand the keys to their offense to rookie QB Justin Fields. Those wrinkles mean we could see those three teams being tough to beat in 2021. However, if the Browns want to be serious challengers in the AFC, these are games they need to win.
2021 season prediction
There was a lot promising about the Browns last season, and their 2021 schedule only helps build intrigue around them this season. They appear to be much more disciplined under Kevin Stefanski’s guidance, as he won the AP Coach of the Year award in 2020. There will be tremendous challenges within their division, with even the Bengals likely to put up a strong challenge.
Cleveland really needs to capitalize on their projected weaker schedule at home. With a tough road schedule, dropping games at home could lead to a disappointing season for the Browns.
Projected 2021 record: 10-7
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