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.

Of course, the Bengals have to actually beat the Browns and Jaguars for this gift of an opening slate to matter. And with more contract drama hanging in the air before training camp via Trey Hendrickson, who knows if a slow start can be avoided again.