Let's take a look at the first four games of that schedule this week:

WEEK 1: DALLAS

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This game will come down to new acquisitions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams helping the Browns stop Marion Barber and the Cowboys running game. Dallas will probably try to pound that Browns defense with the physical Barber to set up the passing game, and the scary thing for Browns fans is that, even if they stop the running game, their secondary is young and thin. Can those players stop Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and the Cowboys' passing game? The Browns' defense will have a tough time stopping Dallas from moving the chains.

Cleveland may score some points against Dallas, but I don't think the Browns' defense will have enough to slow down the Cowboys' offense.

FINAL SCORE: 31-24, Cowboys

WEEK 2: PITTSBURGH

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Browns fans have been waiting a while to prove they are the best in the NFL during a prime-time national TV contest. For this prime-time Sunday night game against their arch rivals, I don't expect Browns fans to disappoint. Cleveland Browns Stadium will be absolutely rocking.

There is really no point in dissecting this game a whole lot, as these two teams are pretty even on the field. There is only one question the Browns need to figure out to defeat the Steelers: Can we get over the psychological edge the Steelers have over us right now? Pittsburgh has won nine games in a row against Cleveland. Some of them have been blowouts, such as the 34-7 debacle in Cleveland to open last season, and some of them have been heartbreakers for Browns fans, such as a 31-28 loss last season at Heinz Field despite leading 21-6 at one point. Granted, some of those contests during the nine-game losing streak have just featured far superior Steelers teams against horrendous Browns squads. But that is not the case anymore, and until the Browns beat Pittsburgh on the field, they can never win the AFC North or be a factor in the playoffs. Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has yet to lose to the Browns in his career, and until the Browns prove to me they can beat Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers, I can't pick them in this game.

FINAL SCORE: 21-17, Steelers

WEEK 3: at BALTIMORE

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Before everyone in Cleveland jumps into Lake Erie, I don't think the Browns will go 0-16. But this is a game they have to win against what will be an inferior Ravens squad. Eventually, Baltimore's offense should look a lot like Cleveland's offense since Browns' offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was new Ravens' offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's protégé. Do the Ravens have a quarterback who can run the offense? I don't believe it's Kyle Boller, and rookie Joe Flacco comes from a small school and probably won't be ready to contribute this season. What about Cleveland native and former Ohio State Buckeye Troy Smith? He showed some potential that he could be a viable NFL quarterback at the end of last season. Wouldn't it be ironic if Smith came back to destroy the Browns twice a year the way Roethlisberger does?

No matter who the quarterback is for Baltimore, I don't believe they have enough to beat Cleveland. There should be no excuse for the Browns not to get some pressure on whoever is behind center against a young and rebuilding offensive line. The Browns also should be able to put up some points against a big-name, but aging, Baltimore defense.

FINAL SCORE: 24-10, Browns

WEEK 4: at CINCINNATI

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Browns fans all remember the last time they were at Paul Brown Stadium. All Cleveland needed was a victory over the struggling Bengals to punch their ticket to the playoffs, but Anderson threw four interceptions and Cincinnati ruined the Browns' chances at the postseason. As if that wasn't enough incentive for the Browns, Carson Palmer offered up this nugget about Cleveland playing five national prime-time games during the offseason:

"I was as shocked as anybody to see that because they're still a ways away. ... They weren't even in the playoffs. I think it's a lot of hype early. Just like every year, there's hype around one or two teams early. It'll fizzle out once they start playing games."

Wow, tough talk from Mr. Palmer. This will be an interesting year for the Bengals. What are they going to do with Chad Johnson? Will Keith Rivers improve the defense? How many players will get arrested? I have to believe Marvin Lewis is running out of chances, and a fast start is crucial for Lewis and the Bengals.

But I think the Browns will be up to the challenge. They should be able to move the ball against what should be another mediocre defense in Cincinnati. I like the Browns in what could be another high-scoring affair between these two rivals.

FINAL SCORE: 31-27, Browns

Next week, I'll look at games 5-8.