The Browns face off against four teams with legitimate playoff hopes in the AFC West.
Week 4: Oakland Raiders
Sept. 30 (4:05 p.m) @Oakland Alameda Coliseum
2017 record: 6-10
The skinny: After a step back in 2017, the Raiders are poised to bounce back with a healthy Derek Carr and first-year coach Jon Gruden, the coach-turned-ESPN analyst-turned coach whom Oakland signed to a 10-year contract this past winter.
Week 6: Los Angeles Chargers
Oct. 14 (1 p.m) @FirstEnergy Stadium
2017 record: 9-7
The skinny: Cleveland went toe-to-toe with the Chargers in Los Angeles last season, welcoming back Josh Gordon to the field for the first time since 2014. The Browns' lone win over the past two seasons came against the Chargers (then located in San Diego) back in 2016.
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs
Nov. 4 (1 p.m) @FirstEnergy Stadium
2017 record: 10-6
The skinny: After a dominant start, Kansas City trailed off down the stretch and unexpectedly lost in the first round of the playoffs. Browns general manager John Dorsey, whom the team hired after four seasons with the Chiefs, played a role in shaping both teams' rosters.
Week 15: Denver Broncos
Dec. 15 (Saturday, TBD) @Sports Authority Field
2017 record: 5-11
The skinny: Myles Garrett gets to square off against fellow Texas A&M alum Von Miller (sort of). Denver took a step back last year because of struggles at quarterback but could change that with the fifth overall pick in the draft.
