3 Thoughts On The 2020 Cleveland Browns Schedule

It’s official: the 2020 schedule for the Cleveland Browns has been released. 

Along with the schedule, head coach Kevin Stefanski commented on the team’s upcoming opponents. 

“I think it’s really an exciting day when you get this schedule,” said Stefanski “As coaches, we look at it and start to put some plans in place. We knew who we were playing, we knew where but now to see it all put together certainly is a really fun time for our coaching staff to map out our plan as this offseason continues on.” 

Here are three quick thoughts about the 2020 schedule. 
 

The Quick Rundown

Home Opponents: Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals

Road Opponents: Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, New York Jets

Bye Week: Week 9

#1: Second-Easiest Schedule In The League

Yes, the Browns will have to defeat the Baltimore Ravens at least once if the team wants to capture the divisional title, but the title shot is there. 

According to Action Network, one of the most prominent gambling odds sites on the web, the Browns have the No. 31 hardest schedule. 

In other words, this is the second-easiest schedule with the Indianapolis Colts being the only team with a tougher schedule. 

Action Network stated that the Browns are favored in 11 games. 

Their easiest game comes against the Redskins where the Browns are a -8-point favorite. 

Their hardest game comes against the Cowboys where they are a +5.5-point underdog. 

Here are my 2020 NFL strength of schedule rankings for all 32 Teams – from the most to the least difficult:

1. Falcons
2. Raiders
⬇️
⬇️
⬇️
31. Browns
32. Colts

See the full list here:https://t.co/7dAJB5C3aZ

— Sean Koerner (@The_Oddsmaker) May 7, 2020

#2: Non-Divisional Opponents Are Weak 

Outside of the Steelers, Bengals, and Ravens who the Browns play twice a year, the team still has 10 other opponents in the 16-game schedule. 

There is only one team outside of the division that recorded 10-wins last season. 

Take a look (2019 Records): 

• Washington Redskins: 3-13
• Dallas Cowboys: 8-8
• Las Vegas Raiders: 7-9
• Philadelphia Eagles 9-7
• Tennessee Titans 9-7
• Indianapolis Colts 7-9
• Houston Texans 10-6
• Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-10
• New York Giants: 4-12
• New York Jets: 7-9

For our fans that are hard at math, that is a combined 70-90 record. 

Sure, there are a few 9-7 teams on there, but that’s realistically just one game from being considered average in the league at 8-8. 

Each one of those teams is beatable. 

#3: Backend Of Schedule Bodes Well For Browns

Let’s pretend to pick games and sell the Browns short. 

Lets’ say the Browns could be 4-4 going into their bye week in Week 9. 

Then, the Browns split with the Texans and Eagles and go to 5-5. 

That leaves the Jaguars, Titans, Ravens, Giants, Jets, and Steelers left on the schedule. 

The best part is the Jaguars, Giants, and Jets are bad teams, but the Browns will play them on the road. 

As for the Ravens and Steelers, both of those will be home games. 

Out of those final six, the Browns could be pushing for the playoffs, and could very well go 4-2 down the stretch and sneak into the playoffs.