The Cleveland Browns can never seem to catch a break.

A year after finishing another disappointing 4-12 campaign, the Browns were "rewarded" with the second-hardest schedule in the league, according to TheRedZone.org. Their opponents will come into 2012 with a 135-121 record from a year ago.

The biggest issue for Cleveland is the teams in its own division. Last year, all three of the other AFC North squads made the playoffs, as the Browns failed to notch a single divisional win.

This year, in addition to two games apiece against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns will be playing the AFC West and NFC East.

With the loss of Peyton Hillis to free agency and the question marks surrounding QB Colt McCoy, the NFL draft is going to be a major factor in determining the team's fate in 2012.

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

 

Cleveland's 2012 Regular-Season Schedule

Week 1, Sept. 9: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Week 2, Sept. 16: Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 3, Sept. 23: Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 4, Sept. 27: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network 
Week 5, Oct. 7: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Week 6, Oct. 14: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 7, Oct. 21: Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 8, Oct. 28: San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 9, Nov. 4: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 10, Nov. 11: BYE
Week 11, Nov. 18: Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Week 12, Nov. 25: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 13, Dec. 2: Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:15 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 14, Dec. 9: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 15, Dec. 16: Washington Redskins vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS 
Week 16, Dec. 23: Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Week 17, Dec. 30: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

 

Analysis

The list of QBs the Browns will be facing is incredibly daunting. The second-best pass defense from a year ago will play against Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Michael Vick, Robert Griffin III (most likely), Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers.

Whoa.

Aside from RGIII and Luck, all of those guys have done damage in the postseason. While the offense will certainly have to play better for the Browns to have a shot at an 8-8 record, the pass defense has to pick up where it left off in 2011.

Considering that pass defense played against Blaine Gabbert, Kerry Collins, Chad Henne, John Skelton, Jason Campbell and Charlie Whitehurst a year ago—it's going to be a tall task.

How Many Games Will Cleveland Win in 2012?

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Most Pivotal Matchup: Week 6 vs. Cincinnati

Last year, the Bengals beat the Browns in Round 1 of the Battle of Ohio when they caught Cleveland napping at the wheel. That Week 1 loss really set the tone for another forgettable season at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

With the Ravens and Steelers both expected to be in contention for the division title once again, the Browns have to take care of business at home against the Bengals to ensure they actually get on the board with a divisional win in 2012.