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          NFL Nation

          Cleveland Browns schedule 2023: Takeaways, predictions

          The Browns have a pair of divisional clashes to open the season. AP Photo/Susan Walsh
          • Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff WriterMay 12, 2023, 12:04 AM
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              Jake Trotter covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2011 covering college football. Before that, he worked at The Oklahoman, Austin American-Statesman and Middletown (Ohio) Journal newspapers. You can follow him on Twitter @Jake_Trotter.
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          CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns’ 2023 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate Thursday.

          The Browns will be tested early. And two key AFC North showdowns could set the tone for Cleveland, with a home opener against Cincinnati, followed by a Monday Night Football clash at Pittsburgh in Week 2.

          After a tilt against Tennessee, the Browns then face the Baltimore Ravens at home preceding an early-season bye week on Oct. 8. How Cleveland fares during a rugged first month figures to go a long way in determining what ultimately happens this season.

          Here's what's in store for the Browns in 2023:

          Schedule

          Sept. 10: vs. Cincinnati

          Sept. 18: at Pittsburgh (MNF)

          Sept. 24: vs. Tennessee

          Oct. 1: vs. Baltimore

          Oct. 8: Bye

          Oct. 15: vs. San Francisco

          Oct. 22: at Indianapolis

          Oct. 29: at Seattle

          Nov. 5: vs. Arizona

          Nov. 12: at Baltimore

          Nov. 19: vs. Pittsburgh

          Nov. 26: at Denver

          Dec. 3: at Los Angeles Rams

          Dec. 10: vs. Jacksonville

          TBD: vs. Chicago

          Dec. 24: vs. Houston

          Dec. 28: vs. New York Jets (TNF)

          TBD: vs. at Cincinnati

          Strength of schedule: 0.462 (26th hardest)

          Over/Under: 8.5

          Biggest takeaway

          Despite playing in a loaded AFC North division, including a rather tough first five games culminating with a clash against San Francisco, Cleveland’s schedule appears to be manageable otherwise, at least on paper. The Browns face the six worst teams in the league from last season (Chicago, Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, Denver, Los Angeles Rams). If they can split their divisional games – like they did last season – the Browns could be well on their way back to the postseason after a two-year hiatus.

          Revenge game

          The Browns suffered one of the worst collapses in recent NFL history last year against the Jets, who scored 14 points in the final two minutes to stun Cleveland, 31-30. The Browns became the first NFL team to blow that big of a lead in the last two minutes since 2001 (when Cleveland did it again in a defeat to Chicago). Such a deflating loss hung over the Browns all last season. Cleveland will be out for payback against the Jets. And with Aaron Rodgers now New York’s quarterback, the late December rematch figures to carry major playoff implications.

          Bold prediction

          Until last season’s last-second, comeback victory over Carolina, the Browns hadn’t won a season opener since 2004. While the Bengals remain formidable, Cleveland has largely had Cincinnati’s number, especially at home, even since Joe Burrow took over at quarterback. The Browns will win back-to-back season openers for the first time since the 1993-94 seasons.