Instant predictions for Browns’ 2026 slate

**Most Likely Win**

What game can we automatically put in the bag for Cleveland? I’d have to go with the Las Vegas Raiders. Even though they selected **Fernando Mendoza** first overall, that team was a complete mess last year, to the point where even the Browns blew them out with relative ease.

Division Success

Cleveland closed last season with wins over the Steelers and Bengals. No matter the season, Cleveland is usually still good for a minimum of two victories within the AFC North. That puts the Browns at **three wins** so far.

The Other Bottom Teams

Cleveland also faces the Jets, Titans, and Giants, teams that finished with 4 or fewer wins in 2025 and last in their division. That doesn’t mean those games are free passes, of course — after all, Cleveland expected to beat the Jets and Titans last year, and proceeded to lose to the Jets 27-20 and then lose to the Titans 31-29. All three of those games are also on the road. Nonetheless, if we’re trying to start with a cleaner slate and expect the Browns to be a more stable team this year, then let’s give the Browns a victory in two of these three games, bumping them to **five wins** so far.

The Rest

Cleveland’s defense can hang with anyone, such as when they upset the Green Bay Packers last year. The remaining teams on Cleveland’s schedule include the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Falcons, Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers. Circle those last four teams, who are all in the NFC South. Each of them finished with a sub-.500 record last year. The Colts collapsed late in the year, and the Texans went on an incredible defensive run to finish the year. You also have the Jaguars, who the Browns seem to do well with defending **Trevor Lawrence**. Of those seven games, I’d pen the Browns in for at least three victories, which would get them to **eight wins** and the **over on 6.5 wins**. What about you, Browns fans? If you play the opponents game for Cleveland, which side of the bet on wins would you take?