Do we want a division opponent? An elite opponent? Or one that we can bully?
We got our first confirmation of Cleveland Browns schedule news Tuesday morning, as it was announced that the Browns will host the Vikings in London in Week 5. Beyond that, you’ll have to follow our Browns schedule rumor tracker for any possible leaks leading up to Wednesday evening.
One of the most anticipated scheduling news each season is who your team will face to kick off the season in Week 1. Last year, it seemed a bit unusual that the Browns were one of the few teams with an early scheduling announcement, as they were FOX’s first featured game against the Dallas Cowboys (a broadcast that also featured Tom Brady’s first game he’d be calling). Cleveland laid an egg in that game, and it wasn’t even because the Cowboys were good. It was a sign of things to come, as the Browns went on to have a miserable 3-14 season.
So, what about the 2025 season? Who will Cleveland face in Week 1? Let’s take a look at the teams the Browns will face:
We know it won’t be the Vikings, but everyone else is fair game. Let’s try to go through a process of elimination:
- No Way: Vikings.
- Unlikely: Bills and Lions – These are viewed as superstar-teams, and figure to be poised to have more exciting Week 1 match-ups.
- Likely: Everyone else seems like fair game — Although I have some doubts that it’ll be the Packers.
- Division Battle? According to OzzyNFL, the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers each have stadium/parking conflicts in Week 1, which means they could be playing on the road. Among AFC North teams, the Browns are the only one without a conflict. That could favor the Browns to host one of their division rivals to open the season.
The match-up that I would find most intriguing for Week 1 would be if the Browns could host the Tennessee Titans. It’s a game that Cleveland could win, but you also could see the debut of Cam Ward, the first overall pick. And in the dream of the NFL schedule makers, somehow that game could twist into a Ward vs. Shedeur Sanders match-up (although I certainly would not bet on that). Nonetheless, you’d be pitting what were the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the draft against each other, which provides something of a storyline.
What do you think, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments section below.