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Browns to open against Steelers
Cleveland will face 3 AFC North teams during first four games
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sportswriter
The Browns won't have to wait long this season to find out where they stand in their division.

Three of the team's first four games are against their AFC North opponents -- and all three are at home.

Included is a season opener with a bang: at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Mike Tomlin's first game as head coach in the post-Bill Cowher era.

The Cincinnati Bengals visit in Week 2 and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.

Last season the Browns went winless in the AFC North. If they aren't improved, the season could go south in a hurry, especially with a trip to the New England Patriots in Week 5.

The Browns' last game in October is on the road against the St. Louis Rams (sixth in the league in offense in 2006), followed by a home game against the Seattle Seahawks (NFC West champs), then trips to Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

In the final six games, the Browns face only one team that had a winning record in 2006. Four teams (Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers) were below .500, and one (Bengals) went 8-8.

That's the highlight of a schedule that includes:

• No prescheduled evening games on national TV, but from Week 10 and beyond, the TV networks will select games for prime-time broadcasts.

• Four of the opening six games at home -- against the three division opponents and the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 14.

• An Oct. 7 visit to the Patriots to face former coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

• A stretch of three road games in four weeks after the team's Oct. 21 bye week. That stretch includes trips to St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore around a visit from the Seahawks.

• Another stretch of three road games in four weeks in December, this one with trips to Arizona, the New York Jets and Cincinnati with a visit by the Bills .

• The season finale Dec. 30 against San Francisco, the 49ers' first visit to Cleveland since 1993.

Four opponents went to the playoffs in 2006 (Seahawks, Ravens, Jets and Patriots) and three won 10 games (Ravens, Jets and Patriots).

Overall, Browns opponents went 130-126 last season.

A quirk in the schedule continues: The Browns have opened at home every year since 1999. The opener this season against the Steelers gives the Browns and fans an exciting way to gauge the team.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/17065758.htm

We HAVE to win this game, Division record, early start, off on the right foot etc.

Steelers 24, Browns 16

I agree.
Swap Pittsburgh for New Orleans and this is the exact same first four weeks we had last year,but with it now being Pittsburgh in Week 1, it's even more important to get off to a good start.

We did poorly those first 4 weeks last season and we knew the season was pretty much done by the end of them... the only question at that point was what was the final damage going to be? We MUST do better this year.

All I hope for is that we are actually playing meaningful games in December. I can't imagine getting off to another 1-3 or 1-4 start.

Starting out with a win against the steelers and a division win for that matter, would be a great boost for the Browns.

i thought every team was slotted one national tv spot?

i agree with everyone here, the browns better be ready come opening day

i like that we get early divisional games, the only way we're doing anything in this league is if we can learn to fight in our own division, so you might as well have it on your plate right away

and if the browns go qb in the first round, that person, whether it be russell or quinn, and assuming they win the job, will be tested right away, i like that though...

i am excited to see the browns open the season against the steelers.Hopefully they can get off to a good start in the division.It would be nice to see the browns win at least at few games in the division. Last year was very depressing

Thanks for the clarification,...but we're not just an "Any Given Sunday" football team.

Yet,...

I really like our chances this year opening against the squeelers. Our coaches and our players now know what this game means and who they are. I know Savage and Crennel are chomping at the bit for this game and will prepare relentlessly.
I don't think Mike Tomlin has a clue.
....come get ya some, boys....

Appreciate your enthusiasm,...really.

I would just feel better as a version of the 81, 86 or 87 Browns. THOSE were "Any Given Sunday."