The 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here, which means Cleveland Browns fans are eager to make their predictions for the team heading into the upcoming season.
Despite the struggling organization’s recent success this offseason between free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, there are plenty of doubts regarding the Browns for the 2026 season. And while there is hope that the young squad could exceed expectations this year, multiple popular sportsbooks think otherwise.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Browns are the favorites in a total of two of their regular season games in 2026.
Browns’ 2026 regular season schedule
Following the release of the organization’s schedule on Thursday evening, many Browns fans were thrilled to see the team possess one of the lowest strength of schedules heading into next season. However, with most sportsbooks officially releasing the lines for all the games in 2026, Cleveland’s future outlook looks grime, despite all of the newest additions to the roster this offseason.
The Browns’ first game that they are considered favorites does not come until Week 12 when head coach Todd Monken and his squad host the Las Vegas Raiders. Last year, Cleveland was able to take care of business on the road by defeating the Raiders, 24-10. Now, the fellow AFC team will look for its revenge with 2026 first-round pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as 2.5-point underdogs in Cleveland.
Looking at the second game, the Browns are the favorites, which takes place two weeks after their battle against the Raiders, when the Atlanta Falcons and former head coach Kevin Stefanski come to town in Week 14. The heated battle will be the first time that Stefanski makes his return to Cleveland after parting ways with the organization this offseason, making it a must-win game for the Browns.
There are, however, multiple games during the 2026 NFL regular season where Cleveland is a slight underdog. In Week 3, the Browns are set to take on the Carolina Panthers, who are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2017. And while the Panthers could be flying high off their recent success, Cleveland is a 1.5-point underdog. This is also the case in both Week 5 against the New York Jets and in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts, as the Browns are both 1.5-point underdogs in both contest.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns receive grime outlook following release of 2026 NFL schedule
Reporting by Dylan Feltovich, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
