The Browns’ road map to the 2021 playoffs is finally here
May 12, 2021Andrés Giménez Whiffs
May 17, 2021The Cleveland Browns finally have their 2021 schedule. They knew their opponents, but now they know the path to which they must face these opponents. The release means that we are one step closer to the season! So, as we see the schedule in full, there is a lot of fun and important matchups for Cleveland. Well, let’s rank them! Here is how I rank the Browns’ 17 regular-season games in terms of the most fun, important, and best games of the season.
1. Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens
This will begin one of the biggest stretches of the season. The Browns play the Ravens in back-to-back games with the bye week splitting the two games. I consider the Ravens as the top contender, alongside Cleveland, to win the AFC North. So, this game has immense importance, especially given it is so late into the season. And, the fact that this is a prime-time game makes it all the more enjoyable.
2. Week 1 at Kansas City Chiefs
Who doesn’t like a rematch? The Browns can get their payback as they travel back to the place where their 2020 season ended. It will be a great test for the team to see where they are at, similar to the Ravens season opener last year. It will be a huge test for the newly built Browns defense. Cleveland’s defense was built to defend the Chiefs type of offense, so we will get to see an early indication of what it can do. This is a really fun matchup.
3. Week 14 vs Baltimore Ravens
This is the home game and the second of the back-to-back games versus the Ravens. Depending on how the first game goes in Week 12, this game could get even more important for Cleveland. It will likely have huge playoff implications. And, with it being in Cleveland, this is likely the most important home game of the year.
4. Week 16 at Green Bay Packers
This game could fall in the rankings if a certain quarterback is traded from the Packers, but as we sit here now, this is an awesome matchup. And, it is on Christmas Day. The Packers with Aaron Rodgers are poised to be one of the best teams in the NFC and so they will give the Browns a late-season test to see how good Cleveland really is this year and if they can truly contend for the Super Bowl. Plus, all eyes will be on this game given it is the national TV game on Christmas Day.
5. Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
This could be a really important game in the second last game of the year. It is against a division rival and a team who will likely contend with Cleveland for a playoff spot. Plus, the Browns get to return to the scene where the franchise ended its playoff win drought. It will also be a Monday Night Football game on ESPN.
6. Week 6 vs Arizona Cardinals
This is a really fun matchup against an up-and-coming team. It features two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. It features two defenses that had a lot of big additions and two offenses that should be some of more explosive in the league. It is just a fun game at home.
7. Week 10 at New England Patriots
The Patriots are not the Patriots of the past, but that does not mean it is a bad game. The Pats made so many changes this offseason to try and compete for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Pats develop this coming season and who they become as a team. Plus, it is always fun to be able to beat Bill Belichick.
8. Week 5 at Los Angeles Chargers
This is another up-and-coming team in the NFL. It also features a nice battle between two of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL. Los Angeles could be a surprise team this season and be a playoff contender. So, this is a fun game against a possible playoff contender.
9. Week 8 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns finally play their first AFC North game of the year. This game will be a rematch of the last year’s AFC Wild Card game that saw Cleveland break their playoff win drought. It will be interesting to see where this Steelers team is at this point of the season.
10. Week 2 vs Houston Texans
It is the home opener. It is also another game where the starting quarterback is a bit of a question mark right now. If Deshaun Watson plays then it will be exciting to watch the talented quarterback play even though his team is not very good. If he doesn’t play, then this game could be a blowout, and who doesn’t like a blowout win in the home opener.
11. Week 15 vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were a playoff contender last season, but I am not sure they will be this year. If they are contenders, then this game will have big playoff implications. Even if the Raiders aren’t contending, the Browns will likely be in the mix and need to get this victory late in the year.
12. Week 7 vs Denver Broncos
This game could be much higher on the list if Aaron Rodgers actually does get traded and goes to the Broncos, who are a rumored destination. But, if they don’t get Rodgers this game is an OK one. The Broncos lack a quarterback who they can rely on to be a quality starting quarterback, but they have a lot of offensive playmakers for the quarterback to play with on offense. Plus, this game is a Thursday Night game.
13. Week 3 vs Chicago Bears
This game could be a fun one if Justin Fields is the starting quarterback for the Bears. He will add intrigue and excitement to a team lacking a lot on offense. They could be a better team than many expect if Fields plays early and plays well.
14. Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
It will be the Kevin Stefanski homecoming game. That will likely be the driving narrative for much of the week and it will likely get nauseating to hear by the time the game starts. But, the Vikings pose a very fun offense with some top-tier playmakers. It will likely be a high-scoring game.
15. Week 18 vs Cincinnati Bengals
This is the regular-season finale. The Browns could need this game to get in the playoffs or for playoff positioning. Or, Clevleand could rest their players if their playoff positioning is set. That is why it is low on the list. It could be a snooze fest or really important.
16. Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are likely not a contender this season given their many holes throughout the roster. Their offense, though, should make the game a fun one to watch given their playmakers and quarterback.
17. Wee 11 vs Detroit Lions
The Lions may be the worst team in the NFL. The matchup does nothing to excite me. The only intrigue would be if the Browns somehow brought back the GLC. If this game is to win the barge, then the importance and intrigue go through the roof for the game.