CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is a segment from the Thursday, May 12, 2022, episode of The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.
The Cleveland Browns' 2022 season marks one of the franchise's most highly anticipated in recent memory. And we now know what the team's schedule looks like.
On Thursday night, the NFL unveiled its full schedule for the 2022 regular season. That included the Browns' 17-game slate, which will kickoff on Sept. 11 in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers and consists of the following contests (all times Eastern):
- Week 1: Sept. 11 at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m.)
- Week 2: Sept. 18: vs. New York Jets (1 p.m.)
- Week 3: Sept. 22 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday Night Football, 8:15 p.m)
- Week 4: Oct. 2 at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)
- Week 5: Oct. 9 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1 p.m.)
- Week 6: Oct. 16 vs. New England Patriots (1 p.m.)
- Week 7: Oct. 23: at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m.)
- Week 8: Oct. 31 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m.)
- Week 9: Bye
- Week 10: Nov. 13: at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m.)
- Week 11: Nov. 20 at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m.)
- Week 12: Nov. 27: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m.)
- Week 13: Dec. 4: at Houston Texans (1 p.m.)
- Week 14: Dec. 11 at Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m.)
- Week 15: Dec. 17 or 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
- Week 16: Dec. 24: vs. New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)
- Week 17: Jan. 1: at Washington Commanders (1 p.m.)
- Week 18: Jan. 7 or 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers (TBD)
The announcement of the Browns' 2022 schedule comes four months after the conclusion of a disappointing 2021 campaign in which Cleveland fell well short of lofty preseason expectations with an 8-9 regular-season record and a third-place finish in the AFC North. This past offseason, the Browns took a drastic step aimed at improving their roster, acquiring three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans.
Watson's availability for the 2022 season, however, remains unclear as the NFL investigates the star signal-caller for claims of sexual misconduct from 22 women. While Watson has not been criminally charged as a result of the allegations, he could still face a suspension from the league regarding the matter.