CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – We have known since January who the Cleveland Browns will play in 2024.
Now we know when and where with the release of the complete schedule Wednesday night.
Despite rumors, the Browns, who will play the toughest schedule based on 2023 season results with opponents possessing a combined .547 win percentage, will not need a passport this season as they were not selected for Brazil or the European slate of games.
They won’t play on Christmas either, but the Steelers host the Chiefs and the Ravens travel to Houston. Coincidently, Baltimore has the second-toughest schedule and Pittsburgh third behind the Browns in 2024.
The Browns, who went 11-6 last season and are coming off their second playoff campaign in four years under head coach Kevin Stefanski, received four prime time games over the final seven weeks of the season – subject to flex scheduling.
Cleveland will host the Steelers Week 12 on Thursday Night Football on Prime Video November 21 at 8:15 followed by an ESPN Monday Night Football appearance in Denver against the Broncos December 2 at 8:20.
“Monday nights are really fun for our players and our fans,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “You're the standalone game. Everybody's waiting patiently for that one on Monday night. So, having been out there to Denver, we know what type of challenge that is versus a really well coached team and a really good football team. So, we're looking forward to a great opportunity there on Monday Night Football.”
The Browns, who travel to Pittsburgh in Week 14 on December 8, received another Thursday Night Football on Prime Video game December 19 at Cincinnati followed by a Sunday Night Football contest December 29 at home against the Dolphins.
Cleveland is 11-8 all time, but 9-2 at home, on Thursday nights. They’ve won their last six games in that time slot.
“Those Thursday night games are really fun for us,” Stefanski said. “You're the only show in town. It's a short week. And for us to get two division opponents and those Thursday nights is a great opportunity for us. We love hosting prime time games. So, that Pittsburgh game there in November will be really exciting for our crowd. And then going down a short drive down to Cincinnati for that Thursday night game in later December.”
The Miami game marks the sixth Sunday Night Football game the Browns have hosted, and their first since Sept. 22, 2019. The Browns and Dolphins last met on a Sunday night back in late December 2004.
In addition to the four prime time games, the 2024 regular season schedule features 10 Sunday afternoon at 1 kickoffs and two 4:25 kickoffs.
On Tuesday it was announced the Browns will kick the season off at home where they went a team record 8-1 last season against Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys, a 4:25 kickoff to be broadcast on FOX.
“I love that we're starting at home like we did last year,” Stefanski said. “Our home crowd was absolutely electric, and I would expect it to be no different for the Cowboys coming to town. They're a great team. Obviously won their division last season. I think coach [Mike] McCarthy does an outstanding job. So, we'll have a great challenge coming out of the gates.”
Under Stefanski, the Browns are 24-10 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cleveland travels to Jacksonville in Week 2 before hosting the New York Giants on September 22. The team’s first three-game road trip since 2011 follows – Las Vegas September 29 at 4:25, Washington October 6 and Philadelphia on October 13.
The Browns don’t begin division play until Week 7 and 8 at home against the Bengals on October 20 and the Ravens on October 27.
“Those division games are always so important,” Stefanski said. “You always immediately when the schedule comes out find where they are on there. We've had years where it was all division early. Now, it's a little bit later when you're getting into the division games, starting in later October. So that's a unique part of this as well. But you definitely want to find those division games in the calendar immediately.”
Head coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers wrap up that three game homestand between Weeks 7 and 9.
“That's quite the homestand following three really good road opponents,” Stefanski said. “So, it'll certainly be different for our guys, but something that we're looking forward to.”
The bye week falls right in the middle of the schedule in Week 10 on November 10 followed by a trip to New Orleans November 17 against the Saints.
Cleveland native Travis Kelce and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs come to town December 15. Patrick Mahomes, Kelce and head coach Andy Reid, winners of three Super Bowls in five years, beat the Browns in the 2020 AFC Divisional Playoff and 2021 season opener – both played in Kansas City. The Chiefs have won five straight against the Browns dating back to 2013.
“We've competed against them a few times out there in Arrowhead, so looking forward to getting them at our place,” Stefanski said. “Coach Reid does an outstanding job. They have great players. Defending champs. So, hosting them is a big deal.”
The Browns end the season at Baltimore but the date, kickoff time and network will be determined in December as Week 18 is a full league flex week to ensure matchups with playoff implications end up in the prime broadcast windows.
“To end the season, as we really have division games every other week it seems like closing out the season, finishing down in Baltimore, we know how good a football team that is,” Stefanski said. “And the players and coaches, we understand that challenge that it presents, but excited for it.”
All three of Cleveland’s preseason games will be played on Saturday’s starting August 10 against the Packers at 4:25 down at Browns Stadium. The Vikings will visit for joint practices the following week and play the second preseason game August 17 at 4:25. The Browns wrap the preseason in Seattle August 24 against the Seahawks.
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