Cleveland Browns schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2026 season

The Cleveland Browns are looking to avoid being all bark and all bite come the 2026 NFL season.

For a team that carries the "Dawg Pound" nickname, it's a little on the nose – especially for new head coach, Todd Monken, who is tasked with picking the right quarterback to lead the pack. Standing at the shelter, he has a few options to start under center in Week 1.

Does he go with the old dog in Deshaun Watson, hoping he can teach him some new tricks? Or what about Shedeur Sanders, who profiles as the energetic puppy that could thrive with a little bit of training? Or maybe Monken would be better off with the quiet puppy like Dillon Gabriel, who just needs to come out of his shell.

Whatever the choice, the Browns are looking to unite the offense and defense on the same end of the spectrum. One of the league's top defenses can only do so much with one of the league's worst offenses. That's where Monken comes in, trying to point the team in the right direction.

It won't be about the wins and losses for Cleveland in 2026, but rather how much they grow as a group. Perhaps the harsh reality is that the dog, or quarterback, for the Browns isn't in the room right now. Maybe that perfect fit is looming in the 2027 NFL Draft.

One way or another, Monken is about to find out what he signed up for. And the NFL provided the itinerary.

Here's what to know about the Browns' schedule in 2026, including dates, times and matchups.

Cleveland Browns schedule 2026

• Week 1 – Sept. 13: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 2 – Sept. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 3 – Sept. 27: Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 4 – Oct. 1: Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
• Week 5 – Oct. 11: New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 6 – Oct. 18: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 7 – Oct. 25: Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 8 – Nov. 1: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 9 – Nov. 8: New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 10 – Nov. 15: Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 11: BYE
• Week 12 – Nov. 29: Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 13 – Dec. 6: Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 14 – Dec. 13: Cleveland Browns vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 15 – Dec. 20: New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 16 – Dec. 27: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 17 – Jan. 3: Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 18 – TBD: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD, TBD

Browns record prediction 2026

Record prediction: 4-13

Once again, the Browns are in transition mode. Monken continues to say all the right things, but whether that translates to wins remains to be seen. At the very least, it won't solve the quarterback issues that may be the Browns' undoing again in 2026.

Will it be Watson, Sanders or Gabriel to start under center?

Cleveland knows it has a defense capable of winning now, but don't discount the loss of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator. Instead it'll be Mike Rutenberg manning that post. The new DC is an unknown who has never held that position before and has a high bar to clear given the success of the Browns' defense under Schwartz. Don't be so quick to pencil them in as a top unit again.

If we look beyond the present for a just a moment, we can see that this offseason was all about building for the future. The Browns invested in pass-catchers like KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, as well as an offensive lineman in Spencer Fano during the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a developmental year for the young Browns, who should be in position to add a top quarterback prospect next offseason.

The most important wins for the Browns won't show up in the standings in 2026.

Browns home opponents 2026

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Las Vegas Raiders

Browns away opponents 2026

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• New Orleans Saints
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans

Super Bowl 61 odds