May 21, 2013

Browns in middle of the pack when it comes to 2013 strength of schedule

February 8, 2013 by 22 Comments

Rob Chudzinski did not just upgrade his profession this past offseason, he upgraded the ease of schedule when it comes to 2013 opponents.

While the Carolina Panthers will face the league’s toughest schedule in 2013 based on opposing win percentage in 2012, the Cleveland Browns (5-11 in 2012) will have the 12th easiest road with an opposing winning percentage of .492 (126-130).

In addition to playing their requisite two games against divisional opponents, the Browns will also face the entire AFC East (New England, Miami, Buffalo and New York Jets), the NFC North (Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota) as well as contests against the 2012 fourth-place divisional finishers (Kansas City and Jacksonville).

The strength of schedule test sets up nicely for 2012 playoff teams in Denver (league’s easiest schedule), Indianapolis (third-easiest) and Houston (sixth-easiest). The strength of the AFC North — combining for five playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory in the last two seasons alone — continues to do the Browns very little in terms of scheduling favors.

[Related: Joe Banner and the assumed departure of Phil Dawson]

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  • DontbringLBJback

    That schedule is really not too bad… seems like the past 3 years our schedule has been an absolute bear. Predicting records at this point would be kind of idiotic since we have no clue what this team will look like in 6 months, but just based on schedule, it would seem that 8-8 or 9-7 could be a real possibility. (Yes, I think I just essentially called myself an idiot) :-)

  • bossman09

    First time in 5 years we don’t have a top 10 difficulty. Not sure what that’s going to be like.

  • Garry_Owen

    Yes, idiot.
    You forgot the playoffs!
    11-8 or 12-7, obviously.

  • mgbode

    how do we go 12-7? did we get a 1st round bye at 9-7? PARITY!!!

    I assume 11-8 is losing in the AFC Champ game from 9-7 and you are too optimistic to even consider 8-8 :)

  • mgbode

    I look at the teams rather than the schedule. The AFC East (outside NE) has been relatively weak though Miami could have a progression year.

    The NFC North is a bear though. Any of those teams could possibly make the playoffs next season (Detroit is just 1 year removed and still has Stafford+Calvin).

  • Garry_Owen

    Wrong on both counts. Under either scenario, we win the AFC Championship, but the Apocalypse happens the night before the Super Bowl. Duh.

  • mgbode

    did the Mayans forget to carry the ’1′?

  • CBI

    You’re both wrong. You forgot to include the three pre-season wins that:
    1) Gives us the tie-breaker with Detroit to make it into the playoffs.
    2) Angers the Mayan Apocalypse Gods

  • Garry_Owen

    This is WAY bigger than the Mayans. We’re talking about Cleveland’s first major championship since ’64, now.

  • mgbode

    we are hexed with 64, which is 100 in decimal. sadly, that means no championship until 2164.

    it’s a mathematical proof!

  • mgbode

    that means we win the GLC and get to keep the barge another year! that’s worth the apocalypse right there.

  • Garry_Owen

    That championship will lose some luster, considering that the team will be made up of mutant cyborg liger-men. I’ll still take it, though.

  • mgbode

    in true Mayan fashion, I carried the ’1′ they forgot. fixed now so we can avoid the cyborgs. it might be in Madden by then though.

  • TSR3000

    Schedule difficulty is hard to predict but underrated. Think about 2007. We won 10 games mostly b/c our schedule was so weak. If we actually put some talent on the field and have an average schedule, playoffs are a possibility.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    There’s nothing wrong with the middle just ask Malcolm!

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Can we put gambling or better yet fights on the barge?

  • DCTribeFan

    Pffft…piece of cake. 15-1.

    Hey, it’s February, and everything smells of roses. It’s that damn December that always smells of dog feces.

  • Eric G

    I’ve got us at 21st easiest. Wonder whatthe disconnect is.

  • Eric G

    Got closer using post season wins and losses, but still not matching. Have us at 17 easiest now but Detroit with hardest. Must be some factor I’m missing

  • Kildawg

    Let’s see, toughest division in NFL, NFC North and AFC East (minus the Jets LOL) both tough divisions. KC and Jacksonville weigh us down with their worst record in NFL (both teams tied) suckitude, however KC was crushed by injuries (one was fatally stupid. If we somehow lose to Jacksonville, Bottlegate would happen again (we are facing them at home this year, KC on the road).

  • Kildawg

    2 reasons why we don’t have a Top 5 difficulty: KC and Jacksonville.

  • The Astute Linguist

    I’ll bet 1,000 Schrute-bucks on a winning record.