We're taking a look at the Browns' top matchups of the 2023 regular season after the league announced on Thursday its full schedule.
Week 1 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m.
Right away, the Browns face a crucial divisional matchup — which is a theme here in our list of the top matchups.
The Browns will instantly face a big test against Joe Burrow and the Bengals and will have a golden opportunity to start the season by building ground in the AFC North. It's the first of three divisional games the Browns will play in the first month of the season, and it'll come against a team that has advanced to the AFC Championship game in each of the last two years.
The Browns stumped the Bengals 32-13 when they played in Cleveland last year in what was their best win of the season. They'll certainly take that type of performance again in Week 1.
Week 2 | @ Steelers | 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
Two top matchups in the first two games?
Yup. It'll be that type of start to the season for the Browns, who will head to Pittsburgh for MNF and play a primetime game against the Steelers for the fifth consecutive year. A win for the Browns in Week 1 will make this game even bigger — and offer a chance for them to establish themselves as an early leader of the division.
It's the first of two primetime games the Browns are set to play this season. The second one cracked our list, too, but it'll come much later in the year.
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.
Week 4 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m.
All of the early divisional games will be crucial for the Browns, but this one might be the most important of them all.
Think about how big this game could be regardless of how the Browns start. They'll have already played two divisional opponents, and if they win both games, this one will be for a chance to build a commanding 3-0 record in the division, which would offer them lots of cushion for later in the year and solidify a hot start to the season.
If they split both games, this one offers them a chance to head into the bye with a winning divisional record.
And if things don't go as planned in those first two games, this matchup offers them a valuable chance to get back on track and head into a very early Week 5 bye week with momentum and good vibes.
It's just as important, if not more crucial than any other game on the schedule.
Week 6 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m.
After playing three divisional games in the four weeks before the bye week, the Browns will return and face perhaps their toughest non-divisional opponent on the schedule.
In the first of three NFC opponents the Browns will play this season, the 49ers will likely be the most talented of the trio. Their quarterback situation for the season remains unclear, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has proven he can build a Super Bowl-contending team with just about anyone under center. The Browns will also have to find a way to lock up Pro Bowlers RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle and WR Deebo Samuel.
The Browns' offense, meanwhile, will face perhaps their toughest defensive matchup of the year. San Francisco boasted three All-Pro players last season in LB Fred Warner, S Talanoa Hufanga and DE Nick Bosa. The bye week offers a chance to get a jump on preparations, but the Browns can't afford to come out slow from the break.
Week 17 | vs. Jets | 8:15 p.m. (Thursday Night Football)
The Browns' home matchup against Aaron Rodgers will be under the lights in a late-season midweek battle.
Serious playoff implications could be in play here, too, and the Browns would almost certainly have to capitalize on them with a rematch against the Bengals looming the following week.
The game will actually be the second time the Browns play the Jets in 2023 — they'll see them in Canton for the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 — but this will be the one that counts, and it guarantees to be a big matchup between two teams who have reasons to believe they'll look vastly improved from 7-10 records last season.
