The Browns' 2023 regular season schedule is out, and we're breaking it down with five big takeaways from the 17-game slate.
1. A crucial, AFC North-filled first month …
The Browns will find out right away where they stack against their three division rivals.
Three of their first four matchups to open the season will be against teams from the AFC North, starting with the Bengals in Week 1, Steelers in Week 2 and Ravens in Week 4.
If the Browns take care of business, they'll start the year with an excellent divisional record that should provide them cushion for when they face them all again later in the year. The rematch with the Ravens will arrive in Week 10, while the second Steelers' battle will follow in Week 11. The Browns won't face the Bengals again all the way until Week 18, which marks the fifth time in franchise history they'll open and close the season against the same opponent (2017, 1963, 1957 and 1956).
2. … with one big primetime opportunity right away
That Week 2 game against the Steelers will be in front of a national audience.
It'll take place on Monday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium with an 8:15 p.m. kickoff on ABC, marking the fifth-straight year the Browns will play a primetime game against the Steelers. They'll look to snap a (shield your eyes now) 19-game losing streak in the regular season in Pittsburgh — although they did beat the Steelers on the road in the playoffs in 2020.
A win in Week 2 would not only snap that streak, but give the Browns a chance to send a statement in the AFC with their first full season with QB Deshaun Watson, who will likely have to muscle the Browns through an always-stingy Steelers defense.
The Browns' 2023 regular-season schedule has been released. Check out how the season unfolds with this photo gallery
WK 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, September 10 at 1 p.m.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football on October 31, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-32.
WK 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, September 18 at 8:15 p.m.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.
WK 3: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, September 24 at 1 p.m.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on September 8, 2019 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 13-43.
WK 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, October 1 at 1 p.m.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-3.
WK 5: Bye Week
WK 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, October 15 at 1 p.m.
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
WK 7: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, October 22 at 1 p.m.
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts game on September 17, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns lost 28–31Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts game on September 17, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Browns lost 28–31
WK 8: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, October 29 at 4:05 p.m.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles with the ball as Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) blocks Browns tackle Joe Thomas, right, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
WK 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, November 5 at 1 p.m.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14 - 37.
WK 10: at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, November 12 at 1 p.m.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 23-20.
WK 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, November 19 at 1 p.m.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on September 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 29-17.
WK 12: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, November 26 at 4:05 p.m.
Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos game on November 4, 2019 at Empower Field at Mile High.
WK 12: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 3 at 4:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald (99) enters the field with teammates before playing against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. The 49ers won 31-14. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
WK 14: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, December 10 at 1 p.m.
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions game on November 19, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 7–19.
WK 15: vs. Chicago Bears, Date TBD, Time TBD
Kicker Cade York (3) during a preseason NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on August 27, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 21-20.
WK 16: at Houston Texans, Sunday, December 24 at 1 p.m.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
WK 17: vs. New York Jets, Thursday, December 28 at 8:15 p.m.
The defense during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on on September 18, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 31-30.
WK 18: at Cincinnati Bengals, Date TBD, Time TBD
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 11, 2022 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 23-10.
3. Bye week arrives early
The Browns will be among the first teams in the NFL to take their midseason break — they'll receive it on the first week possible where bye weeks occur on the league calendar.
Week 5 will be a time for rest and recharging for the Browns, who will then play for 13 consecutive weeks to close the season. The break comes early, but it could still be an opportune time away from the field after a difficult, division game-filled start to the year and a preseason that will contain plenty of time on the road.
If there are any early-season injuries, the break will also be a good time for players to heal up before hitting a long finish to the year.
4. Two big AFC matchups to close it
The final two games offer a grand opportunity to potentially solidify a playoff spot, and the first of them will be featured in a primetime setting.
The Browns will host the Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium in their lone primetime home game of the year on Dec. 28 for Thursday Night Football. The matchup with the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets was one of the most intriguing opponents scheduled to play in Cleveland, and it'll happen with the playoffs only a few weeks away.
A lot could be at stake, and the Browns will be the beneficiaries of playing at home on a short week.
5. Room for more primetime?
The Browns were tabbed for two primetime games, the same amount of night games they played last season, but that doesn't mean they're locked into finishing the year with just two nationally televised games.
The league and their broadcast partners are able to use flex scheduling and may change Sunday Night Football games from Week 5 through Week 17 and Monday Night Football from Week 13 through Week 17. The Browns could be a candidate for one of those flex spots if they're in the playoff hunt and go against another high-performing team.
Dates and times are also still yet to be set for two of their games — Week 15 at home against the Bears and Week 17 on the road against the Bengals. Those games could be an option for a primetime slot, too.
