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          NFL Nation

          Browns' schedule opens with three of their first four games on the road

          AP Photo/Ron Schwane
          • Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff WriterApr 15, 2016, 12:23 AM
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            • Covered Browns, Cleveland sports since 1998
            • Previously worked at Fox Sports Ohio, AOL Fanhouse, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
            • Cleveland native, proud father of two daughters
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          Breakdown: Once again, the NFL did a new coach and the Cleveland Browns no favors, giving Hue Jackson three of his first four games on the road. They include the opener at Philadelphia, and games in Weeks 3 and 4 in Miami and Washington. It does not get easier from there. Five of the first seven games are on the road, and the two home games are against Baltimore and New England. Naturally the Patriots game is in Week 5, which means if Tom Brady's four-game/deflated-footballs suspension returns, his first game back would be against … the Browns. One other factor of difficulty: The Browns' bye is not until the first week in December, a coach's nightmare because it means opening the season playing 12 weekends in a row.

          Chills, anyone? The four December games are in cold-weather venues. They start with Cincinnati at home, then travel to Buffalo, which is always a weather adventure that time of year. The following week, San Diego visits Cleveland. Then the Browns close in Pittsburgh.

          Season-ending tradition: Jackson might want to be looking over his shoulder. The Browns end the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be the sixth time in eight seasons the Browns close against their turnpike rival. The last four coaches fired by the Browns were let go after a season-ending loss to the Steelers.

          Strength of schedule: T-21st, .480

          Browns Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, Baltimore, 1 p.m.

          • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Miami, 1 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Washington, 1 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, New England, 1 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, NY Jets, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, Dallas, 1 p.m.

          • Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 10, at Baltimore, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, NY Giants, 1 p.m.

          • Week 13: BYE

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, San Diego, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.