After an 11-win season and a wild card berth a year ago, the Cleveland Browns will be looking to return to the playoffs again in 2024. It will take a strong campaign from quarterback Deshaun Watson to get them there, but the Browns reloaded their roster with a flurry of their own players in free agency, then added young talent in the 2024 NFL draft.
A year ago, they had a favorable strength of schedule as they worked back into the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. This year, however, they get the second place schedule in the AFC North as they get set to take on one of the toughest slates of opponents out there.
According to NFL analyst Warren Sharp, the Browns have one of the toughest schedules in the league. Here is how all 32 teams rank for the upcoming season including the Browns.
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Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55), left and safety Jessie Bates III (3) gang up to tackle Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) after a catch in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey (55) rushes against Houston Texans guard Tyler Beach (65) during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
Dec 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) collides with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 11: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass in the direction of David Perales #40 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out to throw against Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team attempts to catch a pass against Joe Haden #23 and Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of their game at Heinz Field on December 07, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a touchdown pass while under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 31: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field on December 31, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by Kyron Johnson #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Oct 22, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter of a game at Acrisure Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) as defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) gets a hand on him during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) grabs the arm of New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) in overtime at Heinz Field. The game ended in a 16-16 tie. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and offensive guard Connor Williams (52) in action during the game between the Cowboys and the Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks the play th ball pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) in the first quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gains yardage against the New England Patriots during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hits C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans after Stroud’s attempted pass during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 09: Ahkello Witherspoon #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass intended for Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 09, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) chases during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) chases during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. New England won 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 26: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball past Chidobe Awuzie #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the game at Paycor Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
