Cleveland Browns 2023 Schedule Will Offer Early AFC North Tests

Written By Brett Gibbons on May 12, 2023
Browns schedule

Rejoice, Cleveland Browns fans, the 2023-24 NFL schedule is finally here. The Browns open this season up at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, a matchup sure to drive plenty of intrigue and excitement in the Buckeye State.

In fact, three of the Browns’ first four opponents come in-division. They also close out the year against the same Bengals in a game that may dictate the landscape of the AFC Playoffs.

Thanks to a last-place finish in the AFC North last season, the Browns schedule is far from a murderer’s row. Cleveland welcomes Tennessee, San Francisco, Arizona, Jacksonville, Chicago, and the New York Jets outside the division. Their road schedule proves to be a bit easier: at Seattle, Denver, the Los Angeles Rams, and Houston.

With Ohio sports betting available for the entirety of the 2023-24 NFL season, Browns fans will have even more interest in the team this year.

Cleveland Browns 2023-24 Schedule

WeekDateTime/TVOpponent
1Sunday, Sept. 101 p.m. CBSvs. Cincinnati Bengals
2Monday, Sept. 188:15 p.m. ABCat Pittsburgh Steelers
3Sunday, Sept. 241 p.m. CBSvs. Tennessee Titans
4Sunday, Oct. 11 p.m. CBSvs. Baltimore Ravens
5Oct. 8BYE
6Sunday, Oct. 151 p.m. CBSvs. San Francisco 49ers
7Sunday, Oct. 221 p.m. CBSat Indianapolis Colts
8Sunday, Oct. 294:05 p.m. FOXat Seattle Seahawks
9Sunday, Nov. 51 p.m. CBSvs. Arizona Cardinals
10Sunday, Nov. 121 p.m. FOXat Baltimore Ravens
11Sunday, Nov. 191 p.m. CBSvs. Pittsburgh Steelers
12Sunday, Nov. 264:05 p.m. FOXat Denver Broncos
13Sunday, Dec. 34:25 p.m. FOXat Los Angeles Rams
14Sunday, Dec. 101 p.m. CBSvs. Jacksonville Jaguars
15Saturday, Dec. 16 or Sunday, Dec. 17TBDvs. Chicago Bears
16Sunday, Dec. 241 p.m. CBSat Houston Texans
17Thursday, Dec. 288:15 p.m. Primevs. New York Jets
18Saturday, Jan. 6 or Sunday, Jan. 7TBDat Cincinnati Bengals

Week 18 against the Bengals is currently scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7 but could be moved to Saturday, Jan. 6.

A time has not yet been announced for the Week 15 game against the Bears.

Cleveland Browns most difficult stretch in 2023

While starting out of the gate against the entire division before the Week 4 bye is tough, the Browns handle four of their first five games at home.

Immediately following the bye week, the Browns host NFC runner-up San Francisco – who currently stands third in Super Bowl odds – then visit Indianapolis, travel cross-country to Seattle (a notoriously difficult environment to play in, host Arizona, visit Baltimore, host Pittsburgh, and then head west to play Denver and the Rams.

That eight-week stretch in the middle of the season is long and features some difficult opponents. While the Colts and Cardinals are far from juggernauts, at least one will be featuring a new kitchen-sink approach to offense with rookie Anthony Richardson.

The Rams are poised for a turnaround year after a serious Super Bowl hangover, and the Broncos promise to be improved. It’s a tough schedule from a travel standpoint and from a trap game standpoint.

Even going 4-4 in that stretch would be a good thing for the Browns.

Most advantageous stretch for Cleveland

Having four of your first five games at home helps things a lot. When it comes to slugging it out in the AFC North, the Browns must take every advantage they can get. From Weeks 1-5, they travel a grand total of 137 miles to Pittsburgh and get a bye week notched in there.

This stretch is difficult from an opponent standpoint, but advantageous from a logistical standpoint.

With this kind of light travel, the Browns are hoping to win at least two of three against the division.

Best weekend football road trip with Browns schedule

If you’re looking to maximize your time watching football in Ohio, we’ve got a great setup for you. Begin your road trip with some weeknight MACtion between Central Michigan at Ohio at Peden Stadium in Athens. The Chips and Bobcats slug it out on Wednesday, Nov. 15, likely with a 6:30 or 7 p.m. kickoff. Keep it in-state and head to Columbus for Saturday’s Minnesota at Ohio State kickoff at the Horseshoe on Nov. 18.

If your college football itch still hasn’t been scratched, Boston College plays at Pitt just three hours from Athens on Thursday. That ACC game will kick off Thursday night, giving you plenty of time to get there and enjoy Pittsburgh for the day. With Friday sandwiched between then and Ohio State, you’ll have plenty of driving time.

If you make it to Columbus by Friday night, you might be in luck to catch some high school football regional finals. Teams like Pickerington Central or Upper Arlington make usual deep playoff runs and might be hosting that night.

The Browns host the Steelers on Nov. 19 in what should be a gritty game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Kick is at 1 p.m. ET, so make sure to get to Cleveland the night before and arrive at the Muni Lot early to get some tailgating in. The Buckeyes game shouldn’t be a prime time late kick, so you’ll have time Saturday to make the two-hour drive north to Cleveland.

Then buckle down in front of a TV on Monday night to recover and watch a rematch of Super Bowl 57 between the Chiefs and Eagles.

DateGameLocationDrive Time
Nov. 15Central Michigan at OhioAthens, OH
Nov. 16Boston College at PittPittsburgh, PA3 hours
Nov. 17Ohio high school playoffsColumbus, OH3 hours
Nov. 18Minnesota at Ohio StateColumbus, OH
Nov. 19Steelers at BrownsCleveland, OH2 hours
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Written by
Brett Gibbons

Brett Gibbons is a contributing writer for PlayOhio and TheLines.com. Brett specializes in sports betting and has previously written for Sports Illustrated and Fansided. Brett is an avid sports traveler and former Division-I football recruiter for Bowling Green and Texas State.

View all posts by Brett Gibbons