Browns Playoff Picture: Win No. 9 was important for Cleveland

Vibes are high for the Cleveland Browns, who have won two straight games and sit at 9-5 on the season. The Browns sit at 9-5 on the season after defeating the Chicago Bears and are in prime position to be playing January football. Overall, the AFC is a bloodbath with multiple teams fighting for a […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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Vibes are high for the Cleveland Browns, who have won two straight games and sit at 9-5 on the season.

The Browns sit at 9-5 on the season after defeating the Chicago Bears and are in prime position to be playing January football.

Overall, the AFC is a bloodbath with multiple teams fighting for a spot to play in the postseason.

Current AFC standings

  1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
  2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
  5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
  6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
  7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

In the hunt for the AFC playoffs

  1. Houston Texans (8-6)
  2. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
  4. Denver Broncos (7-7)

Will the Browns make the playoffs?

According to the New York Times NFL playoff calculator, the Browns have an 86 percent chance to make the playoffs. Cleveland currently holds the top Wildcard spot and controls their destiny to the postseason the rest of the way.

Week 16 against the Houston Texans will be big for the Browns, as it gives them another chance to add an AFC win.

This season, 10 wins should get you into the Wildcard. With three games remaining, the Browns have ample opportunity to do that. As of right now, the Browns would play the Jaguars in the Wildcard round.

Can Cleveland still win the AFC North?

The Browns sit two games behind the Baltimore Ravens and do not play them again. These teams are on opposite ends to finish the season though, with the Ravens having a tough schedule and Cleveland’s being lighter.

Cleveland plays at Houston, home against the New York Jets, then at the Cincinnati Bengals to end the season. To win the AFC North, the Browns need to likely win out and Baltimore needs to lose at least two games.

Left for Baltimore are the 49ers, Dolphins, and Steelers. That is not an easy stretch by any means. Cleveland will be rooting for at least two of those teams to beat Baltimore. If the Ravens can win out, none of this will matter and the division is theirs.

Who will the Browns root for in Week 16?

As mentioned above, the Browns will want the 49ers to take care of business against the Ravens in Week 16. With Cincinnati being one seed behind the Browns, a win by the Steelers over Cincinnati would be beneficial.

A win for the Atlanta Falcons over the Indianapolis Colts would help out with the Colts being just two spots behind the Browns. Unless Cleveland wins the AFC North, they won’t be able to climb any higher than the Wildcard spot that they currently hold onto.

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