The Browns schedule will be released tonight but here are three interesting matchups and when they might be played
The NFL Schedule release is today. For the Cleveland Browns, it will be a few key matchups on their schedule that will have some interesting storylines as well as some drama. Before the schedule was announced, the opponents had already been revealed.
Out of all the opponents the Browns will face, with a lot of very talented quarterbacks, three non-AFC North opponents are interesting matchups. Let us predict when they will be broadcast:
Detroit Lions
When it comes to decade-long struggles, both Browns and Lions fans can relate to some degree. Losing seasons, multiple regime changes so and so forth. However, it appears that Detroit has gotten over that trend and has developed into a competent franchise. Cleveland is somewhat there (disagree if you want), but both teams aren’t nearly as inept as they were in years past.
The Lions developed into a playoff contender in the NFC while the Browns have been competent but is looking to right the ship after a 3-14 season Head coach Dan Campbell has done a great job in turning around the team’s culture, quarterback Jared Goff has been solid for the team after the team traded away beloved quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Offensively, this is a team that isn’t short of weapons. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are one of the top running back duos, wide receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown is one of the more underappreciated receivers in the league, and tight end Sam Laporta is developing into a solid receiving threat.
Defensively, the unit is solid across the board. This game could potentially be a Sunday night game on NBC, but I wouldn’t put my money on this. This could be a 1 PM Sunday game on FOX.
Prediction: Browns @ Lions: 1 PM EST on FOX (single-header game)
San Francisco 49ers
Going back to the 2023 season, the matchup between these two teams was one of the more physical matchups we’ve seen. While the 49ers missing a potential game-winning field goal, the Browns bullied there opponents in a game that the team had no business winning. In Cleveland’s victory, a blueprint was quietly formed on containing the San Fran offense during a time in which it seemed unstoppable. Have a strong pass rush that can rush consistently and have cornerbacks who are sticky in coverage and have quarterback Brock Purdy beat you.
Fast forward to now, the teams are completely different. For the 49ers, half of their team that was in the Super Bowl that season is gone, and the team has undergone some form of roster retooling. Noticeable stars are still there, but the team is getting younger in certain areas. Similar to the last meeting, this seems like an early window game. Not much prime time appeal.
Prediction: 49ers @ Browns: 1PM EST on FOX (early window game part of a double header)
New England Patriots
If there is one matchup that has my attention, it’s the Browns visiting the New England Patriots. After spending a year with the Cleveland coaching staff, head coach Mike Vrabel is back coaching once again for a team with which he started his career.
The Patriots are in their rebuilding phase, and it appears that they have something in quarterback Drake Maye, who can potentially be the franchise quarterback in Foxboro. The offensive skill group has been completely overhauled and defensively, the group has received a facelift as well.
This matchup is interesting mainly due to Vrabel being on the Browns coaching staff last year, and a small yet vocal minority wanted the team to fire head coach Kevin Stefanski and hire Vrabel as his replacement. The team decided to keep Stefanski while Vrabel decided to get back into coaching after being let go by the Tennessee Titans in 2023.
Something about this game screams “Thursday night on Amazon Prime Video.”
Prediction: Browns @ Patriots 8 PM on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night game)