The Toughest 3-Game Stretch for the Cleveland Browns in 2012

Considering the recent history of the Cleveland Browns, it seems like the most difficult stretch of games for the team would simply be "all of them."

And further considering that it's downright hard to win a football game, no matter how easy some teams make it seem, it is almost like one could just pick any three consecutive games for Cleveland and say those will be the hardest on the team.

But the Browns are not likely to be as—well, terrible as they've been in seasons past this year, and though there will be some struggles and some games that are harder than others to win, it's not going to be an 0-16 or 2-14 season for Cleveland by any stretch.

There are, of course, periods of difficulty that are going to come the Browns' way this season, and none are more daunting than Weeks 4 through 6. The three games start with Cleveland's only prime-time appearance and feature two contests against divisional rivals broken up by a trip to New Jersey to take on the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

That prime-time game is a Thursday night stand against the Baltimore Ravens on their home turf. The Browns are 7-19 all-time against the Ravens and haven't beaten them since 2007. Though Baltimore has undergone some changes this offseason, many of them negative, that doesn't mean they are any less dangerous, especially to a team like the Browns.

This game will be a huge test of the Browns' run defense. Last season, they were hemorrhaging yards on the ground. At the same time, Ravens running back Ray Rice had the second-most rushing yards of any player in the league.

Cleveland made upgrades to their defensive front seven this offseason, but just how much of an upgrade will be made clear by how well they manage to contain Rice.

At the same time, the Browns offense will face a major test—that scary Ravens defense.

Thankfully for every opponent the Ravens face this year, they won't have to see 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs. However, not so thankfully, there's still the rest of that defense to contend with—and not just the linebackers, either. 

The Ravens, known for their ability to both pressure quarterbacks and stop the run, also have amassed themselves one of the best secondaries in the league.

With a rookie quarterback at the helm of the Browns offense this year, a rookie running back leading the ground game and a question mark like Greg Little as the team's primary receiver, it could be tough going in this game.

After the Ravens game, the Browns head east to face the aforementioned Super Bowl champs, the Giants. There are few things more intimidating than taking on the reigning champions, and the Giants aren't likely going to slip down the power rankings in 2012, with their efficient and balanced offense and strong defense.

That will make two defensive challenges in a row for the Browns—if they're crushed by the Ravens, then a redemptive showing against the Giants will be necessary. At this early point in the season, wins are extremely important—a bad first half of the season does not set a good tone for the second half.

Luckily, the Browns also have a strong secondary (and an overall good defense), which could successfully shut down the Giants' receivers even if sacks on quarterback Eli Manning are hard to come by.

Also advantageous for the Browns: The up-and-down nature of the Giants' seasons. New York might be one of the better teams in the NFL, but they aren't a steamrolling one that takes out opponent after opponent. The Browns, therefore, could conceivably catch them in this game, but it will be difficult.

Closing out this three-game stretch is another divisional contest—this time against the Cincinnati Bengals, which fortunately occurs on the Browns' home turf. The Browns have fared better against the Bengals than against the Ravens, with an all-time win-loss record of 36-41 and their most recent win coming in 2010.

However, the Bengals are a surging team, one that made the playoffs last season and one that looks primed for a return appearance. Though I do think the chances are good that the Browns and Bengals split their two-game series this season, with the Browns coming off of those two brutal road games, this is going to be the tougher of the two to win (the first meeting comes in Week 2).

The key to beating the Bengals this year is to outsmart their defensive planning and shut down their passing game. These are two tasks within the Browns' reach, to be sure, but after two trying road games leading into this matchup, and the Bengals coming off of two fairly easier opponents, this is a difficult win for the Browns to earn.

There is some good and some bad to the fact that the Browns' most difficult three-game stretch comes early in the season.

It's good because there's time to rebound, and it's bad because, though it does come early, there are but 16 games in which teams can prove themselves. And no matter when it occurs in a year, playing first the Ravens and then the Super Bowl champions is never a good back-to-back slate.

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