CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns will open the season with the Battle of Ohio — at home against the Bengals on Sept. 7 — and close against them in Week 18. But the NFL schedule-makers weren’t impressed with the 3-14 Browns last season and kept them off of prime time this season.

The Browns and their AFC North brethren have the misfortune of being matched up against the NFC North in 2025. Cleveland will host the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings and hit the road to face off with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.

NFL schedule will be officially released on Wednesday night, but we are tracking the latest Browns schedule leaks and rumors until then.

Storyline: The idea of the Browns’ being in Cincinnati’s head is out the window. The Bengals have won three in a row and four of the last five and, while Garrett will probably sack Joe Burrow twice each game, the tables have turned on this rivalry over the last two seasons.

The league announced the full 2025 preseason slate for all 32 teams on Wednesday. As is the custom, the Hall of Fame Game will serve as the curtain-raiser. The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will face off on July 31 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.