CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – At long last, the 2021 schedule is out.
In 2020 Baker Mayfield elevated his game and led the Browns back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, ending the longest drought in the NFL.
This year, Mayfield will be challenged almost weekly as he squares off with some of the premiere QBs in the league including three former NFL MVPs and a pair of Rookie of the Years, which should provide plenty of marquee matchups.
Week 1: Sept. 12 – at Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25 p.m./CBS
It just made too much sense to hold the rematch of the AFC Divisional playoff that sent the Browns home in Week 1. The Browns are 1-20-1 in openers since 1999, but all streaks come to an end at some point, right? Cleveland’s rebuilt defense will get tested quickly. The ability to pick off the Chiefs right out of the gate as opposed to facing them with the playoffs on the line in December or early January is appealing considering this might not be the only time Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes will square off this season.
Week 2: Sept. 19 – Houston Texans – 1:00 p.m./CBS
Will Deshaun Watson even be on the field? If not, this one could be a big yawner and an incredibly happy home opener in Cleveland.
Week 3: Sept. 26 – Chicago Bears – 1:00 p.m./FOX
Will former Ohio State quarterback and No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields take the starting job from Andy Dalton? Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is always a force to be reckoned with too.
Week 4: Oct. 3 – at Minnesota Vikings – 1:00 p.m./CBS
Roll out the purple carpet. Kevin Stefanski returns to where he spent the previous 13 years as an assistant coach in a variety of roles.
Week 5: Oct. 10 – at Los Angeles Chargers – 4:05 p.m./CBS
Mayfield was probably just thrilled to see Justin Herbert, who threw 31 TDs and won Rookie of the Year in 2020, obliterate his rookie touchdown passing record last season. The two gunslingers will square off in LaLa land at the Chargers sort of new shared home with the Rams.
Week 6: Oct. 17 – Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 p.m./FOX
Another marquee QB matchup – Mayfield v. Kyler Murray. The two authored one of the greatest shootouts in college football history and meet for the second time in the NFL with Murray getting the best of Mayfield in the previous meeting in 2019.
Week 7: Oct. 21 (Thu) - Denver Broncos – 8:20 p.m./ FOX-NFLN-Amazon
Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Broncos – Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock, this is a curious pick for a national TV contest.
Week 8: Oct. 31 - Pittsburgh Steelers – 1:00 p.m./CBS
Will Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney and Cleveland’s defense have Ben Roethlisberger seeing ghosts on Halloween? The Browns have won three of four in the renewed rivalry, including sweeping Week 17 in Cleveland to qualify for the playoffs and the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field the following week.
Week 9: Nov. 7 – at Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00 p.m./CBS
The last time Baker and the Browns visited the ‘Natti Mayfield misfired on his first seven passes then set a franchise record by completing his next 21 – this after throwing a pick that sent Odell Beckham Jr. to the operating room. Mayfield and Joe Burrow went back and forth in the fourth quarter before Cleveland left town with a last second victory. If the 2020 games between these two teams were any indication, we could be in for more fireworks between them this year.
Week 10: Nov. 14 – at New England Patriots – 1:00 p.m./CBS
When does Bill Belichick turn the keys over to Mac Jones? If Cam Newton has his way, not this year. Belichick v Browns is always a compelling matchup, especially after both teams spent considerable resources to shore up their rosters in the offseason.
Week 11: Nov. 21 – Detroit Lions – 1:00 p.m./FOX
The GLC (short for Great Lakes Classic) comes to Cleveland in the regular season prior to Thanksgiving. Will John Dorsey present the barge to the winner? In all seriousness the Lions hopes Jared Goff is able to finally get them on track after acquiring him from the Rams in the offseason.
Week 12 and 14: Nov. 28 – at Baltimore – 8:20 p.m./NBC & Dec. 12 – vs. Ravens - 1:00 p.m./CBS
The bye week for the Browns being placed between the meetings with the Ravens should make for an interesting storyline and dynamic. These two teams played arguably the game of the 2020 regular season on Sunday Night Football, a 47-42 thriller won by Baltimore last December at FirstEnergy Stadium, so it’s no surprise NBC wants an encore of Mayfield v Lamar Jackson this year. The Browns hope the additions of Clowney, Anthony Walker, John Johnson III, and return of Grant Delpit will help them contain the elusive 2019 NFL MVP.
Week 15: Dec. 18 or 19 - Las Vegas Raiders – TBD/TBD
Jon Gruden might be one of the most overrated coaches in the NFL but as long as Derek Carr is under center, you’re rolling the dice counting Vegas out.
Week 16: Dec. 25 - at Green Bay – 4:30 p.m.- FOX-NFLN-Amazon
Hopefully the Browns will have themselves a holly jolly Christmas and not grumble “bah humbug” when they leave the should be frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Will Aaron Rodgers be in the holiday spirt?
Week 17: Jan. 3 (Mon) – at Pittsburgh Steelers – 8:15 p.m./ESPN
This is the first time in the expansion era believe it or not that the Browns and Steelers will play on Monday night. This game could decide whether or not Cleveland ends their division title drought that is now into its third decade.
Week 18: Jan 9 – Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00 p.m./CBS
Depending on where the Browns are in the divisional standings and the playoff race, this game could be moved, but the second meeting between Mayfield and Joe Burrow will likely decide the Browns’ playoff fate and or seeding.
