Three Biggest Games: Cleveland Browns

Each new season sees a lot of change around professional sport’s most dysfunctional franchise. The Cleveland Browns ambled to a 3-13 mark last year; good for the second-worst record in football and an expectation among many that such a paltry win total will be tough to beat in 2016. Still, each new season brings new hope to “Believeland.” Check out three games Browns fans should look forward to in the treacherous campaign that lies ahead.

Week 1 at Philadelphia

There are few more exciting times of the year in Cleveland than opening week of the NFL regular season. Players and fans alike start on a clean slate with misty-eyed dreams of finally returning to the playoffs. Sometimes, the Browns even eek out a win to really drive that false hope home. But enough patronising; this week 1 clash could actually be the sleeper pick for game of the week, if only because so many new faces will be keen to make their mark. Both teams will boast a top-ten draft pick and a brand new head coach in this intriguing encounter.

Week 10 at Baltimore

The Browns play all but one game at Sunday 1ET in 2016. Their lone primetime affair will be at Baltimore in week 10; a Thursday night clash with the only team arguably more despised in Cleveland than the hated Steelers. This victory for the Browns is a meagre one, given every team gets at least one mandatory nationally televised game per year under the current broadcasting deal. For the NFL’s resident cellar-dwellers, that usually means relegation to an away game on TNF. Last year, the Ravens shocked the Browns with a blocked field goal return for a touchdown to win a wild Monday night game. Cleveland won’t want to be humiliated like that again.

Week 17 at Pittsburgh

One of the most beloved holiday traditions in Pittsburgh is the annual beating of the Browns, customarily celebrated on the final week of the regular season. With a playoff spot all but secured, the Steelers have made a habit of emasculating the Browns before Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with Cleveland’s head coach, often for the final time. Last year wasn’t so easy, with the Steelers needing a win and some help from Buffalo to squeak in as a sixth seed. Given the expected tight race for the AFC North crown, this year the Browns would love to go one better and banish their bitter rivals from the big dance.