If you’re checking your phone today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, wondering who did Cleveland Browns play today, I have some news that might sting a little. The short answer? Nobody. While the NFL is currently deep into the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Browns are already back in Ohio (or on vacation) after a season that was, frankly, a rollercoaster that ended in a bit of a ditch.
It’s the day of the big postseason matchups. The Buffalo Bills are taking on the Denver Broncos, and we've got an NFC West war between the 49ers and the Seahawks. But for the Dawg Pound, the pads are already off.
Why the Browns Aren't on the Field Today
The Cleveland Browns finished their 2025-26 campaign with a 5-12 record. Honestly, that’s not what anyone in the 216 was hoping for when the season kicked off last September. They landed at the bottom of the AFC North—4th place—which is a tough pill to swallow when you consider how competitive the division was this year.
They actually ended the season on a somewhat high note. If you missed it, they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18 on January 4th. It was a gritty, ugly, classic AFC North game. Andre Szmyt nailed a 49-yard field goal with basically no time left to seal it. Shedeur Sanders was under center for that one, throwing for 111 yards and leading a final drive that actually showed some of the potential this roster has hidden somewhere.
But a two-game winning streak to end the year doesn't erase a 3-12 start.
The Struggles That Defined the Season
- Quarterback Carousel: We saw everyone from Joe Flacco to Shedeur Sanders taking snaps. It’s hard to build rhythm when the person under center changes like the Cleveland weather.
- The Run Game: Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins had flashes of brilliance, but the consistency just wasn't there to take the pressure off the passing attack.
- Offensive Production: The Browns averaged only about 16.4 points per game. You just aren't winning many games in the modern NFL with those numbers. They ranked 31st out of 32 teams in scoring.
Looking Back at the 2025 Schedule
If you’re trying to remember where it all went wrong, the mid-season stretch was the killer. After a nice win against the Packers in Week 3, the wheels kinda fell off. They lost five straight in October and November.
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The defense, led by Myles Garrett (who still managed to snag 1st Team All-Pro honors, because of course he did), kept them in a lot of games. They held the Steelers to 6 points in late December! But when your offense is putting up 3 points against the Bears or 8 points against the Niners, your defense eventually gets exhausted.
Who Is Playing Today?
Since the Browns are out, you might be looking for a proxy team to root for (or against). Today’s Divisional Round schedule is actually pretty wild:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This one is the 4:30 PM ET kickoff. Bo Nix has the Broncos rolling, but Josh Allen is doing "superhero stuff" as usual.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The 8:00 PM ET nightcap. A classic divisional rivalry for a trip to the NFC Championship.
Tomorrow, the action continues with the Texans playing the Patriots and the Rams heading to Soldier Field to face the Bears. It's a great weekend of football; it just lacks that orange and brown tint we were hoping for.
What’s Next for the Dawg Pound?
The season is over, so the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The Browns have already seen their 2026 opponents list released. They’ll be facing the AFC South and NFC East next year, along with the usual gauntlet of the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers.
Basically, the front office has a massive task ahead. They need to figure out if Shedeur Sanders is the long-term answer or if they’re back in the market for a veteran. They need more weapons for the passing game, and they need to find a way to capitalize on the remaining prime years of Myles Garrett’s career.
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If you're looking for something to do today since you aren't watching the Browns, you should probably start looking at mock drafts. With a 5-12 record, Cleveland is going to have a very high pick. It’s "hope springs eternal" season in Cleveland.
Your next move: Take a look at the current 2026 NFL Draft order. The Browns are sitting in a prime spot to snag a generational talent on the offensive line or another playmaker for the secondary. Keep an eye on the scouting combine coming up in February; that’s where the real rebuilding starts.