The 2026 NFL regular season schedule has finally dropped, and Cleveland Browns fans are already sharpening their pencils for predictions. But if you're looking for a silver lining, you might need to search a little harder—because the early outlook from sportsbooks is, well, grime.

Despite a busy offseason that saw the Browns make some intriguing moves in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, the betting world isn't buying in just yet. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Cleveland is favored in only two of their 17 regular-season games this year. That's a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that's been waiting for a breakthrough.

When the schedule was released Thursday evening, many Browns supporters were excited to see their team land one of the lowest strength-of-schedule ratings in the league. But as the full-season spreads rolled in, the optimism quickly turned to caution. For a squad that's been rebuilding and retooling, the numbers suggest the road ahead is still uphill.

So, where do the Browns actually have the edge? Their first game as favorites doesn't come until Week 12, when they host the Las Vegas Raiders. Cleveland beat the Raiders 24-10 on the road last season, but now Las Vegas is coming back with a new weapon: 2026 first-round pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Browns are listed as 2.5-point favorites, but the Raiders will be hungry for revenge.

The second and final time Cleveland is favored comes in Week 14, when the Atlanta Falcons—and former head coach Kevin Stefanski—visit town. This one is personal. Stefanski parted ways with the Browns this offseason, and his return to Cleveland is already being circled as a must-win game for Todd Monken's squad. Expect emotions to run high in that one.

There are a few games where the Browns are only slight underdogs, which could offer some hope. In Week 3, they face the Carolina Panthers, who are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2017. That one could be closer than the odds suggest, but it's still a tough ask for a young Cleveland team trying to find its footing.

For fans looking to rep their team through thick and thin, this season might test your loyalty. But hey, that's what game day gear is for—whether you're celebrating a rare win or just showing support, the Browns are still your team. And who knows? Sometimes the grime outlook makes the eventual victory that much sweeter.