The Cleveland Browns have been down for awhile. Since becoming a franchise once again in 1999 after the original one was uprooted and moved to become the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns have only made the playoffs once.
Browns 2013 schedule: Challenging slate awaits Cleveland
The Browns have a better team but a very tough docket to navigate in 2013.
Matt Sullivan
This year, Cleveland has renewed hope with a new head coach Rob Chudzinski. Chudzinski comes over from the Carolina Panthers, where he helped Cam Newton to become one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the league as his offensive coordinator. In Cleveland, Chudzinski will be only the head coach after bringing on Norv Turner as the offensive guru.
Defensively, the team upgraded by drafting Barkevious Mingo to play in a rotation at outside linebacker with Paul Kruger to learn from, who came over from Baltimore via free agency.
Let’s take a look at the 2013 Browns schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept.8 | vs. Miami | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 2 | Sept.15 | at Baltimore | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 22 | at Minnesota | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Sept. 29 | vs. Cincinnati | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 5 | Oct.3 | vs. Buffalo | 8:25 p.m. | NFL |
| 6 | Oct. 13 | vs. Detroit | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 7 | Oct. 20 | at Green Bay | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 27 | at Kansas City | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 3 | vs. Baltimore | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 10 | BYE | --- | --- |
| 11 | Nov. 17 | at Cincinnati | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 24 | vs. Pittsburgh | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 1 | vs. Jacksonville | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | at New England | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 16 | vs. Chicago | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | at New York Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | at Pittsburgh | 1 p.m. | CBS |
Toughest Out: New England Patriots
The Patriots are tough no matter where you play them, but on the road is an almost impossible task. New England lost quite a bit this offseason in terms of talent with Aaron Hernandez being in jail after a murder charge was levied against him. Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from multiple forearm surgeries, Wes Welker now plays in Denver and Brandon Lloyd doesn't play anywhere.
Still, the Patriots have Bill Belichick, an excellent offensive line and oh yeah, some guy named Tom Brady. In the midst of December, this will be a colossal challenge for Chudzinski and the boys.
Must win: Cincinnati Bengals
It would have been easy to go with the Jacksonville Jaguars here. However, beating the Bengals at home in Week 4 is more important from a few aspects. The Browns need to show they can hang with the tough AFC North and what better way to do that then beat their interstate rivals? Furthermore, Cleveland will be coming off two straight road games against teams that made the playoffs last year.
Cincinnati is favored by many to be the division heavyweight. If the Browns can knock them off early, it could put Cleveland in the right state of mind heading into October.
Can't Overlook: Buffalo Bills
The Bills aren't as good as Cleveland, and with this game on the banks of Lake Erie it should be going in the left-side column for the Browns. That said, Buffalo has some playmakers on offense with C.J. Spiller and Steve Johnson, perhaps along with EJ Manuel should he prove worthy of his first round draft slot.
With this contest coming on a Thursday night, the Browns have to get themselves prepared quickly after having what should be a very physical game against Cincy four days prior.
For more Browns news, please check out Dawgs By Nature.
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