Predicting the outcome of every game on the Cleveland Browns’ 2026 schedule that’s now official
The Cleveland Browns’ 2026 NFL schedule is here. Here we’ll break down what the results could look like in the end of Todd Monken’s first season as a head coach.
We’ve now hit another key offseason point for the NFL and the 2026 schedule is in hand for the Cleveland Browns. It’ll be an interesting road ahead for the Browns in Todd Monken’s first season.
Cleveland’s biggest question mark is at quarterback after making aggressive moves along the offensive line in the offseason. Deshaun Watson is likely to be the starter and Shedeur Sanders is competing to change that.
The Browns’ offense should be improved but they’re likely to rely on a strong defense again. Let’s dive into predicting all 17 games.
Predicting the Browns’ 2026 season following the schedule release
Week 1 at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m.)
Cleveland opening the season against its favorite trade partner over the last couple of years is interesting. A road test right out of the gates will be good for the Browns, but this has the chance to be a very hot day in Florida. Starting 1-0 in the Monken era is too good to be true.
Prediction: Browns lose 28-17
Week 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m.)
Starting the season with back-to-back road games is a tough pill to swallow. Cleveland will get its former No. 1 overall pick in the second week of the season when they take on Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
Prediction: Browns lose 31-23
Week 3 vs. Carolina Panthers (1 p.m.)
Cleveland’s first home game of the season will be against the Panthers, who are an improved team over the last couple of years. After a 0-2 start, there will be a lot of pressure on the Browns to win at home in Monken’s first game coaching the team there. I think Cleveland wins this game.
Prediction: Browns win 20-17
Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday Night Football)
Cleveland’s only primetime game will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. The Browns should have a decent idea of who they’ll be after three games played and the same can be said about the Steelers. An early-season winning streak for the Browns?
Prediction: Browns win 23-17
Week 5 at New York Jets (1 p.m.)
A very winnable game against a team the Browns have a better roster than. I’m taking the Browns to win their first road game of the season.
Prediction: Browns win 24-20
Week 6 vs. Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m.)
Monken’s first game back against the Ravens will be the storyline here. Lamar Jackson is always a lot to deal with and the Ravens have Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers who make his life a lot easier. I don’t see the Browns winning three straight here.
Prediction: Browns lose 30-17
Week 7 at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m.)
Cleveland will get its second game against QB Cam Ward in the second year of his NFL career. The Browns possess a better roster than Tennessee, but that doesn’t always matter because it was the case in 2025 when the Titans beat Cleveland. I’ll take Tennessee winning here again.
Prediction: Browns lose 28-24
Week 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m.)
Getting the Steelers the week after their trip overseas is great news for the Browns here. Still, it’s hard to win in Pittsburgh, and counting on the Browns to do it isn’t a great idea. Cleveland can split with this Steelers team in the end.
Prediction: Browns lose 27-21
Week 9 at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)
The Saints hope they have their quarterback with Tyler Shough, a player the Browns passed on selecting. Watson has had his best football played inside of a dome, maybe he fares well here he’s the starter. Still, I’ll take New Orleans at home.
Prediction: Browns lose 26-20
Week 10 vs. Houston Texans (1 p.m.)
Houston has an elite defense and that’s bad news for Cleveland’s offense, even if it’s improved. If CJ Stroud can bounce back then the Texans will be a force to be reckoned with. No reason to take the Browns here.
Prediction: Browns lose 28-13
Week 11 BYE
Week 12 vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m.)
By this point in the year it could be Fernando Mendoza behind center for the Raiders even if they do let Kirk Cousins start the year. I like the idea of the Browns winning against a lesser roster, a rookie quarterback against their defense, and a west coast team playing at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction: Browns win 21-14
Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m.)
Getting the Bengals twice in the back half of the season is interesting. If recent history shows anything, the Bengals are probably going to be playing some good ball at this point in the season. Cleveland will take one on the chin here against the team I believe is winning the AFC North.
Prediction: Browns lose 34-24
Week 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)
Kevin Stefanski’s return to Cleveland will be the big storyline here and you can bet he’ll be looking to get one back, and vice versa. The Falcons don’t know who their starting quarterback will be, much like the Browns. Bijan Robinson is tough to slow down and he may be the difference maker.
Prediction: Browns lose 27-23
Week 15 at New York Giants (1 p.m.)
It’s hard to tell who the Browns will be starting at quarterback at this point in the season — and the same can be said about the Giants with the injury issues Jaxson Dart had as a rookie. There may not be a lot to play for with either team in Week 15, but we’ll see.
Prediction: Browns lose 24-18
Week 16 at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m.)
It’ll be interesting to see where Baltimore is at this point in the season, I expect them to be heading toward a playoff berth. A home game for Baltimore here and they sweep the Browns.
Prediction: Browns lose 31-24
Week 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m.)
Indianapolis needs Daniel Jones to return and play at an above-average level for the entirety of the season, I don’t think it’s going to happen. If the Browns can slow Jonathan Taylor in this game they’ll grab a win in their home finale.
Prediction: Browns win 23-16
Week 18 at Cincinnati Bengals (Saturday OR Sunday)
As long as Joe Burrow is still healthy, the Bengals should have a playoff spot locked up here and sitting starters. Cleveland can steal a late-season win to cap off an improved season. Cincinnati and Cleveland have traded blows over the years and I have them doing so again this year.
Prediction: Browns win 27-24
The Browns will go 6-11 in Todd Monken’s first season
I don’t think the Browns are pushing for the playoffs in 2026 and it’d take a jump at the most important position in the game for it to happen. 6-11 should land the Browns a top-10 pick in what could be a deep quarterback class. Unless something surprising happens this season, Cleveland will need to draft one early next year. It could be a situation where the Browns have to trade up a few spots.
The big question is: did Monken win enough games in his first season to stick around?