The Browns may have a tall task ahead of them for the 2024 season.
According to the SOS system that factors in the 2023 records for all teams, the Browns have the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL.
The Browns' opponents had a combined record of 158-131 last season, which had a .547 winning percentage. The second-toughest schedule belongs to the Ravens, who had an opponent win percentage of .536. They are the only two teams that will have a strength of schedule above .535.
Cleveland will have 12 total games against teams that finished with a winning record last season, which is tied for the most in the NFL.
Last season, the Browns finished with an 8-1 record at home, which was the best home record in a single season for the organization. In 2024, they will face a tough home slate of games, with six opponents finishing the 2023 season with a .500 record or higher. Five of the eight games are against teams who also made the playoffs last year, as the Browns will face the Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs, Dolphins and Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Yet, the Browns are set to be healthier in 2024 than they were in 2023. They dealt with a plethora of injuries to their starters beginning in Week 1 and extending through much of the 2023 season. They relied on five quarterbacks over the course of the season to lead the offense and called upon rookies and young players to take on bigger roles to fill holes. And yet, through it all, they finished the 2023 season 11-6 – tying the second-most wins in team history – and earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2020.
Cleveland also brought back key defensive players in free agency and added depth at certain positions on all three sides of the ball. They re-signed DE Za'Darius Smith, DT Shelby Harris and DT Maurice Hurst II, who each played integral roles to their league-leading defense.
The official schedule for the 2024 season is yet to be released, but with a healthy roster and a dominant defense, the Browns are poised to handle a tough 2024 schedule.
| Opponent | 2023 Record |
|---|---|
| Bengals | 9-8 |
| Broncos | 8-9 |
| Chargers | 5-12 |
| Chiefs | 11-6 |
| Commanders | 4-13 |
| Cowboys | 12-5 |
| Dolphins | 11-6 |
| Eagles | 11-6 |
| Giants | 6-11 |
| Jaguars | 9-8 |
| Raiders | 8-9 |
| Ravens | 13-4 |
| Saints | 9-8 |
| Steelers | 10-7 |
