CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are six games into the season, sitting at 4-2 and holding first place in the AFC North. Considering how the season began, that's a pretty good place to be.
Now comes a stretch of three consecutive road games that could determine whether Cleveland can turn its early success into a serious run at the division title.
The Browns travel to Tennessee on October 25, Pittsburgh on November 1, and New Orleans on November 8 before finally returning home to face Houston.
Two of those opponents have losing records, and the third is a familiar division rival Cleveland has already beaten. There's an opportunity here, but the Browns have some work to do before anyone starts looking too far ahead.
Tennessee Offers an Opportunity
The Titans enter Sunday's matchup with a 1-5 record, having finally picked up their first victory of the season with a 26-20 win over Indianapolis.
Tennessee trailed 13-0 at halftime before rallying for the win. Its defense forced three turnovers and recorded six sacks, while special teams contributed a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
For Cleveland, this is still a game it should feel confident about winning. The Browns have already beaten some better teams, and their defense has shown it can keep them competitive even when the offense struggles.
But Tennessee's comeback against Indianapolis should serve as a warning against taking the Titans lightly.
The Browns have also struggled away from home. Their only road victory came against Tampa Bay in Week 2, while losses to Jacksonville and the New York Jets exposed some of the team's weaknesses.
If Cleveland wants to remain atop the division, beating a struggling Tennessee team on the road is the kind of result it needs to deliver.
A Rematch With Pittsburgh
The second game of the trip could be the most important.
Pittsburgh enters Week 7 with the same 4-2 record as Cleveland, making the November 1 rematch especially meaningful in the AFC North standings.
The Browns defeated the Steelers, 27-24, on October 1 when Andre Szmyt connected on a 56-yard field goal in the closing seconds.
That victory was one of Cleveland's most memorable moments of the season, but beating Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium presents a different challenge.
The Steelers have since won two consecutive games, defeating Indianapolis, 34-22, before Sunday's 26-19 overtime victory over Tampa Bay.
A second victory over Pittsburgh would give Cleveland a season sweep of its longtime rival and a valuable head-to-head advantage in the division race.
Of the three upcoming road games, this is the one that could have the greatest impact on Cleveland's position in the AFC North.
New Orleans Before Returning Home
The Browns finish their road trip against the New Orleans Saints, who enter Week 7 at 2-4 after defeating the New York Giants, 34-27.
New Orleans has struggled through much of the season, but Sunday's victory was a reminder that Cleveland won't be facing an opponent willing to hand over a win.
The Browns will also be playing their third consecutive road game, with no bye week until after their November 15 matchup against Houston.
That's a demanding stretch for any team, particularly one that has already dealt with injuries and relied on several close finishes.
Cleveland's defense has been the foundation of its success, but the offense needs to become more consistent if the Browns expect to keep winning away from home.
Deshaun Watson and the offense managed just 46 yards in the first half against Baltimore before finding enough production to win. Relying on another late comeback every week isn't a particularly comfortable way to approach a three-game road trip.
A Chance to Build Something
The Browns have already exceeded many early expectations by winning four of their first six games. They've beaten Pittsburgh and Baltimore, giving them two valuable victories over division rivals.
Those head-to-head wins currently give Cleveland the edge in a three-way tie atop the AFC North, with all three teams holding 4-2 records.
But six games don't make a season, and the standings can change quickly in the AFC North.
If Cleveland wins two of its next three, it will return home at 6-3. A sweep would put the Browns at 7-2, leaving eight games to play and putting them in a strong position heading into the second half of the season.
Neither outcome is guaranteed, especially with a trip to Pittsburgh in the middle of the schedule.
Still, Cleveland has put itself in a position where games against Tennessee and New Orleans look like opportunities rather than obstacles. Winning those games and competing well against Pittsburgh would go a long way toward proving the Browns belong at the top of the division.
What's Next
The Browns begin their three-game road trip Sunday, October 25, against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
