The Browns' 2016 season is set in stone as the league released its official schedule Thursday night.
So let's take a look at their opponents and what to expect next season from AFC North rivals to other challengers across the league
Week 9: Cowboys
Nov. 6 (1 p.m) @ FirstEnergy Stadium
2015 record: 4-12
The skinny: Hampered by injuries — including the loss of quarterback Tony Romo for most of the season — the Cowboys limped to the end of the regular season after a 12-4 finish the year before.
Players to watch: QB Tony Romo; WR Dez Bryant; TE Jason Witten, RB Darren McFadden, DB Barry Church, DE Demarcus Lawrence, LB Sean Lee
Notable offseason moves: Resigned CB Morris Claiborne … picked up former Alabama star LB Rolando McClain and RB Alfred Morris in free agency … released DT Greg Hardy
Week 10: Ravens
Nov. 10 (Thursday, 8:25 p.m.) at Baltimore
2015 record: 5-11
The skinny: Baltimore looks to get back on track after an unusually shaky season. Buoyed by the addition of several key free agents, expect the Ravens to compete for the AFC North title next season.
Players to watch: QB Joe Flacco, WR Steve Smith, LB C.J. Mosley, S Eric Weddle
Notable offseason moves: Signed big names in former Chargers safety Eric Weddle, former Vikings WR Mike Wallace and TE Ben Watson … LB Courtney Upshaw left team in free agency
Week 11: Steelers
Nov. 20 (1 p.m.) @ FirstEnergy Stadium
2015 record: 10-6
The skinny: Long a power player in the AFC North, Pittsburgh's offense figures to be explosive (again) next season behind veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown. But can the Steelers defense return to form after finishing 21st last year?
Players to watch: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DL Cameron Heyward, WR Antonio Brown, LB Ryan Shazier, RB Le'Veon Bell, LB Lawrence Timmons
Notable offseason moves: WR Martavis Bryant suspended for at least the 2016 season after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy … veteran TE Heath Miller retired after 11 seasons with the Steelers
Week 12: Giants
Nov. 27 (1 p.m.) @ FirstEnergy Stadium
2015 record: 6-10
The skinny: After its third-straight season below .500, the Giants parted ways with longtime coach Tom Coughlin, who brought the franchise a pair of Super Bowls, three NFC East titles and five playoff berths.
Players to watch: QB Eli Manning, WR Odell Beckham, DE Olivier Vernon, DB Landon Collins, RB Rashad Jennings, WR Victor Cruz
Notable offseason moves: New York hired Ben McAdoo to replace Coughlin … signed former Dolphins defensive lineman Olivier Vernon in free agency … CB Prince Amukamara, DL Robert Ayers left team in free agency for Jaguars, Buccaneers, respectively
BYE
Week 13: Bengals
Dec. 11 (1 p.m.) @ FirstEnergy Stadium
2015 record: 12-4
The skinny: On pace to perhaps make a deep postseason run, Cincinnati fell to the Steelers in a contentious AFC Wildcard game without starting QB Andy Dalton, who sat because of a broken thumb. And without offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who left to become the Browns' head coach, it'll be interesting to see how the Bengals offense responds.
Players to watch: QB Andy Dalton, WR AJ Green, LB Vontaze Burfict, DL Geno Atkins, DB Adam Jones, RB Giovani Bernard
Notable offseason moves: Lost WRs in Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu and starting safety Reggie Nelson in free agency. Jones signed with the Lions while Sanu joined Atlanta; resigned starting DBs in Jones and George Iloka.
Week 14: Bills
Dec. 18 (1 p.m.) @ Buffalo
2015 record: 8-8
The skinny: The Rex Ryan experience in Buffalo was met with highs and lows, as the Bills finished 8-8 and missed out on the playoffs but showed they've got the pieces to contend in the AFC East
Players to watch: RB LeSean McCoy, QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Sammy Watkins, DB Duke Williams
Notable offseason moves: Watched DE Mario Williams depart the team for Miami in free agency … hired Rob Ryan (Rex's brother) to be assistant head coach and work with the defense … named former Ravens star Ed Reed an assistant defensive backs coach
Week 15: Chargers
Dec. 24 (1 p.m.) @ FirstEnergy Stadium
2015 record: 4-12
The skinny: Coming off their worst finish since 2003, the Chargers will try to get back to their winning ways. To do so, San Diego hired former Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt as its offensive coordinator in an effort to resuscite a stagnant offense that finished 26th in the league.
Players to watch: QB Philip Rivers, TE Antonio Gates, WR Danny Woodhead, RB Melvin Gordon, LB Melvin Ingram, DB Jason Verrett
Notable offseason moves; Signed former Browns receiver Travis Benjamin during free agency … parted ways with former safety Eric Weddle
Week 16: Steelers
Jan. 1 (1 p.m.) @ Pittsburgh
2015 record: 10-6
The skinny: Long a power player in the AFC North, Pittsburgh's offense figures to be explosive (again) next season behind veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown. But can the Steelers defense return to form after finishing 21st last year?
Players to watch: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DL Cameron Heyward, WR Antonio Brown, LB Ryan Shazier, RB Le'Veon Bell, LB Lawrence Timmons
Notable offseason moves: WR Martavis Bryant suspended for at least the 2016 season after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy … veteran TE Heath Miller retired after 11 seasons with the Steelers
