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2017 Cleveland Browns game-by-game predictions

The Cleveland Browns want to erase the taste of the worst season in the team's history, but they might have to wait another year to get that done. This team does not seem greatly improved at this point of the offseason from the 1-15 team that staggered out of 2016. The Browns will add players in the draft, but the search for the quarterback will continue -- and not finding one will continue to hold the team back. Predicting the record at this point isn't based on what might be after April, but on what exists now. And what exists is not pretty.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET

The NFL doesn't like the Browns. Why else would it give them this brutal opener? Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are way too much for a team struggling to find its identity. Record: 0-1.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

A very tough double-dip in the division to start the season, one at home against a top AFC team, the next on the road against a team nearly as good. This is a very difficult start for a team coming off 1-15. Baltimore wins. Record: 0-2.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET

As if weeks 1 and 2 weren't bad enough, the league drops Andrew Luck into Week 3. The Colts keep the Browns winless. Record: 0-3.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET

It seemed logical to think the Browns could beat the Bengals once this season, but not when the first game follows the Steelers, Ravens and Colts. The Bengals make the start 0-4. Record: 0-4.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET

Here is win No. 1. The Jets rival the Browns in quarterback issues and are rebuilding. Record: 1-4.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

The two teams who don't want Brock Osweiler to play, and wouldn't it be interesting if Osweiler was quarterback for the Browns? It's unlikely, though, as the Browns expect to trade him during the draft. The Texans have enough to win this game. Record: 1-5.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET

Marcus Mariota's growth has taken the Titans from three wins his rookie season to nine in 2016. Tennessee will continue to build a quality roster. The Titans win on the road. Record: 1-6.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 22, vs. Minnesota Vikings in London, 9:30 a.m. ET

The Browns gave up a home game to travel across the ocean to play the Vikings, who will not have Adrian Peterson but do have an aggressive Mike Zimmer defense that will pose problems to whoever plays quarterback for the Browns. Record: 1-7.

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions were a playoff team a year ago and Matthew Stafford threw for 4,327 yards. That's enough. Record: 1-8

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 19, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET

Two teams that have suffered through misery face each other. The Jaguars have not been over .500 since 2007 (same as the Browns!) and have not won more than five games six years in a row. The Browns figure a way to get win No. 2. Record: 2-8.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET

It's not crazy to think the Bengals still will be playing for something at this point of the season. For the second year in a row, the Bengals sweep the series. Record: 2-9.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET

If nothing else, this game will be interesting given it will be played in 30,000-seat StubHub Center, a renovated soccer facility. Regardless, this might be Philip Rivers' last chance to put together a good season. The Chargers win. Record: 2-10.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET

The final four games are very tough, starting with the Packers. As long as Aaron Rodgers is on the field, the Packers will be at a different level than the Browns. Record: 2-11.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

The Ravens will be fighting for a playoff spot; the Browns will have their two wins. Baltimore always figures a way to win these games. Record: 2-12.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

It's tough to see this game meaning a whole lot, but the Bears playing at home on Christmas Eve should have an edge. Record: 2-13.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET

It's so cruel of the league to constantly have the Browns finish on the road in Pittsburgh. This marks the seventh time in eight years it has happened, and all it does is drive a nail into the cold reality of how far the Browns have to go. Record: 2-14.