Why Browns' 2023 schedule sets them up for success
With the NFL schedule release just a couple of days away (Thursday, May 11), everyone is trying to make their predictions. However, one thing is for sure and that is the Browns' schedule is looking very favorable.
According to NFL Research, Cleveland has the "easiest" strength of schedule in the AFC North and the seventh easiest in the league. The team's 2023 opponents win percentage was just 46 percent (131-154-2) with the Steelers (47 percent), Ravens (48.4 percent) and Bengals (51 percent) following.
Of course, teams' records from the 2022 season don't exactly predict what their success will be in 2023 as the league always seems to have a team go from worst to first. But the Browns certainly have the foundation to have their first winning season since 2020.
Cleveland plays just five teams who made the playoffs last season (Bengals, Jaguars, Ravens, Seahawks and 49ers) and the seemingly always underwhelming AFC South division, which could have three rookie quarterbacks starting (Colts' Anthony Richardson, Texans' Bryce Young and Titans' Will Levis) this year.
The AFC North will likely be a tight division as each team appears to have gotten better. The only guaranteed way to make it into the postseason is by winning it and the Browns' secret weapon may just be their schedule.
More must-reads: