Browns' Win-Loss Predictions for 2024 NFL Season
The Cleveland Browns come into the 2024 NFL season in the middle of the pack in the AFC.
The expectation is for the Browns to make it back to the playoffs, but they are not considered in the highest echelon of teams in the AFC.
Cleveland gets a chance late in the season to prove its mettle against the Kansas City Chiefs, but that specific game is not much of a thought just yet.
The Browns play four of their first six games on the road and one of the home games is a tough task against the Dallas Cowboys.
Kevin Stefanski's team needs to get through the tough early stretch in order to capitalize on the home games from Week 7 on.
September
1 of 4
Week 1: vs. Dallas
Week 2: at Jacksonville
Week 3: vs. New York Giants
Week 4: at Las Vegas
The only guaranteed win on the Browns' September schedule is the home clash with the New York Giants.
Daniel Jones has not looked any better than his previous form in preseason, and the Giants as a whole do not look like a playoff contender.
Cleveland's home opener against the Dallas Cowboys feels like a true toss-up. Both teams come into the season with questions about their running game. Dallas is relying on Ezekiel Elliott again, while the Browns are waiting for Nick Chubb to come back to full strength.
The best passing attack probably wins in Week 1, and if the Browns get a motivated Amari Cooper to show out against his former team, they can start the season 1-0.
The trip to Jacksonville in Week 2 will be tough, but it is a game the Browns could win with a strong defensive performance.
The expectations will be higher to win on the road in Las Vegas in Week 4 against a Gardner Minshew-led offense.
The Las Vegas Raiders are weaker on paper, but the Browns can't underestimate some of the throws Minshew can make.
At minimum, the Browns need to emerge from September at 2-2. A 1-3 or 0-4 start would be borderline disastrous.
September Record Prediction: 2-2
October
2 of 4
Week 5: at Washington
Week 6: at Philadelphia
Week 7: vs. Cincinnati
Week 8: vs. Baltimore
The schedule makers are not friends with the Browns players and coaches this year.
The Browns play three straight road games, starting with the Week 4 jaunt to Las Vegas.
The two October road games are in the NFC East against the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington is in rebuilding mode around Jayden Daniels. The Myles Garrett-led pass rush could wreak havoc on the rookie quarterback all afternoon.
The Browns could have success through the air against Philadelphia, but that game seems dependent on how much the Eagles secondary has improved after a calamitous second half in 2023.
The first two AFC North games for the Browns follow the road swing.
Cleveland went 3-3 in the AFC North last year, but they did win two divisional home games against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Two home wins are mandatory given the competitiveness of the division and how the Browns schedule shakes out in the first two months.
Wins over Cincinnati and Baltimore could serve as a springboard for success in the second half of the season.
October Projected Record: 3-1
November
3 of 4
Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 10 Bye
Week 11: at New Orleans
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh
November looks like an incredibly easy month for the Browns compared to the first two months.
The Browns will not have to leave northeast Ohio for over a month thanks to their three-game homestand that begins in October and a Week 10 bye.
That should help the Browns catapult themselves into the AFC playoff race.
Wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints are expected given the quality of stars on both rosters.
By Week 9, the Browns passing attack should be humming at its highest capacity with Cooper and Jerry Jeudy working well with Deshaun Watson.
If all goes well with Chubb, he should be in solid game shape by November as well.
Chubb will be vital for the Week 12 battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which has low-scoring affair written all over it.
A 3-0 month is more than possible for the Browns, which would be welcome with the late-season gauntlet in front of them.
November Projected Record: 3-0
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December and January
4 of 4
Week 13: at Denver
Week 14: at Pittsburgh
Week 15: vs. Kansas City
Week 16: at Cincinnati
Week 17: vs. Miami
Week 18: at Baltimore
Stacking up wins in October and November is paramount for the Browns because of their December gauntlet.
The month begins with a Monday night game in Denver, which on paper does not seem like a difficult task, but the affects of that game could be felt in Week 14.
The Browns play at altitude and then turn around on short rest to play a physical game in Pittsburgh.
After that, a four-game run against the Kansas City Chiefs, Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Ravens could stop the Browns' playoff hopes.
The Browns have to win in Denver and Pittsburgh to have a fighting chance against four teams who could be playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Cleveland probably needs to win at least two games in December to sit in a wild-card position with 10 wins.
Losing four straight games to close out the season would not be ideal to help the Browns' psyche going into the postseason, but that is what might happen with them.
December/January Projected Record: 2-4
Overall Record Projection: 10-7
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