Written by Thomas Moore

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Coming off a 4-12 season and with multiple rookies taking over at key positions, 2012 could be shaping up to be a rough season for the Cleveland Browns.

Not helping matters is the fact that the Browns play in the AFC North Division – the National Football League’s Group of Death – which helps contribute to the Browns having the third most-difficult schedule heading in the season.

Now talent can obviously go a long way toward negating a tough schedule, but there is no getting around the fact that having an easier schedule helps pave the way for a successful season.

According to ESPN, of the 10 teams that had the toughest schedules in 2011, the New York Giants (fourth-hardest) made the playoffs. But of the 10 teams with the easiest schedules, eight of them advanced to the post-season.

Fear not, though, Browns fans. Here are 16 truths – one for each opponent – to help get you ready for the upcoming season.

Week 1 vs. Philadelphia: Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has only played a full 16-game season once in his nine seasons (2006). Unfortunately for the Browns, they face Philadelphia in the season opener, which pretty much guarantees that Vick will be on the field.

Week 2 at Cincinnati: The Bengals gave coach Marvin Lewis a two-year contract extension at the end of July, running through the 2014 season. It makes sense, really. Anytime you can lock up a coach with a losing career record and who has never won a playoff game, you just have to do it.

Week 3 vs. Buffalo: The Bills jumped out to a 4-1 start in 2011 thanks to the opposition turning the ball over 16 times in those five games. Once the luck of the bounce stopped going their way, the Bills went back to being the Bills: a 2-9 finish with only 15 turnovers by the opposing team.

Week 4 at. Baltimore: The Ravens have two of the worst offensive tackles in the game. Bryant McKinnie allowed seven sacks, nine hits and 29 quarterback hurries in 2011. Michael Oher allowed 10 sacks, seven hits and 43 hurries. Jabaal Sheard, Ahytba Rubin, Juqua Parker and Frostee Rucker approve of this message.

Week 5 at New York Giants: The Giants were outscored during the regular season in 2011 and were swept by the 5-11 Washington Redskins.

Week 6 vs. Cincinnati: The Bengals did not beat a team with a winning record in 2011 on their way to a 9-7 season. The Bengals have not had consecutive winning seasons since 1976-77.

Week 7 at Indianapolis: Under new coach Chuck Pagano, the Colts are switching from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. That’s kind of a big deal when your two best defensive players, Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, are 4-3 defensive ends. According to Pro Football Focus, two players the Colts are counting on – defensive tackles Antonio Johnson and Fili Moala – had a combined rating of -26.7, thanks in large part to their poor run defense. Trent Richardson approves of this message.

Week 8 vs. San Diego: Norv Turner and his career record of 107-113-1. Any time Turner is standing on the sidelines, the opposing team has a chance.

Week 9 vs. Baltimore: The Ravens lost linebacker Terrell Suggs for the year (most likely) with a torn Achilles and linebacker Jarret Johnson to free agency – only two of the best outside linebackers in the game.

Week 10 vs. the Bye: The one week of the year the Browns are guaranteed not to lose.

Week 11 at Dallas: Since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, the Cowboys are a .500 team (104-104) and have won one more playoff game than the Browns.

Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh: The Steelers offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. They drafted under-achieving (or over-rated, depending on your view) offensive left tackle Mike Adams out of Ohio State in April’s NFL Draft. In his first preseason game, Adams allowed 2.5 sacks in nine plays and left the game with a knee injury.

Week 13 at Oakland: Since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, the Raiders are 36 games under .500 (86-122) and had double-digit losses every season from 2003 to 2009.

Week 14 vs. Kansas City: The Chiefs have been so underwhelmed by the play of quarterback Matt Cassel who, according to Pro Football Focus, has only earned a passing grade of +1.0 or higher in seven of his 40 starts, that they decided to try and recreate the 2009 Browns by signing quarterback Brady Quinn and turning the offense over to coordinator Brian Daboll, who is on his third job in as many years.

Week 15 vs. Washington: Since Daniel Snyder bought the team in 1999 (the same year the Browns return), the Redskins are 26 games under .500 (91-117) and have won two more playoff games than the Browns.

Week 16 at Denver: The Broncos made the playoffs last year with an 8-8 record while playing in the second-worst division in the entire NFL. Denver was outscored by 81 points (no 8-8 team since the 1970 merger has been outscored by more) and the Broncos played 11 games decided by a touchdown or less and won seven of them.

Week 17 at Pittsburgh: Eric Metcalf returning punts. 51-0. Bernie Kosar to Webster Slaughter.

Now that schedule doesn't seem so bad after all, does it?

(Photo by ClevelandBrowns.com)