In 2023, the Cleveland Browns are going to ride as far as their defense can take them.

Cleveland is primed to be a playoff team and could make an even deeper run if they find some kind of consistency on the offensive side of the ball.

Losing Deshaun Watson as he was just starting to show signs of his former self was unfortunate and has them starting a fifth-round rookie. For Cleveland’s sake, they have an elite defense that is going to at least buy some time for Cleveland to get some kind of offensive continuity.

Playoff picture for the AFC if the season ended today:

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3)

Miami Dolphins (7-3)

Cleveland Browns (7-3)

Houston Texans (6-4)

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)

In the hunt:

Buffalo Bills (6-5)

Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

Denver Broncos (5-5)

Cincinnati Bengals (5-5)

Las Vegas Raiders (5-6)

Cleveland now holds the top wildcard spot in the AFC. The Browns’ win over the Steelers was pivotal for them to be able to jump Pittsburgh. Buffalo won but they have a tough schedule remaining and grabbing a wildcard spot won’t be easy.

With the Bengals losing Joe Burrow for the season and with a 5-5 record, many believe their season is over and that it is all about 2024.

If the playoffs began today, the Browns would travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins.

Is the No. 1 seed in the AFC in play for the Browns?

Cleveland having a bye week in the playoffs would be unfamiliar territory that none of us have probably seen. They have a shot at it with how the AFC has played out through 11 weeks.

Currently, the Ravens hold the No. 1 seed with one more win than the others due to not having their bye week yet. The top five teams in the AFC all have three losses. One of those teams is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who the Browns still play in a few weeks. That will be an opportunity for the Browns to help themselves out.

Winning the second game against Baltimore and splitting the season matchup with the Ravens was huge. Cleveland will need them to lose again, while they keep winning themselves to overtake the No. 1 seed.

Additionally, the Chiefs and Dolphins losing games would need to happen for Cleveland. With seven weeks of games remaining, all of that is on the table. The Browns are firmly in contention for that No. 1 seed.

Who are the Browns rooting for in Week 12?

Week 12 has the Ravens on the road to play the Los Angeles Chargers. The entirety of the AFC will be rooting for the Chargers to knock off the No. 1 seed, which would shake things up.

Kansas City will be playing at the Las Vegas Raiders on a short week. It would be hard not to see Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City bouncing back after losing to the Eagles, though crazier things have happened. Jacksonville will have a game with the Texans that should be close, Cleveland fans will be rooting for Watson’s old team there.

Miami is on the road to play the New York Jets. It’s a long shot, but the Jets beating the Dolphins is another game the Browns will keep a distant eye on.

Rooting for the Bengals to beat the Steelers will be the move in the AFC North, as Pittsburgh is just a game back from the Browns. Cleveland still plays the Bengals once this season.

Everything Cleveland wants in this season is still right in front of them. Going into Week 12, all of their goals are attainable if they take care of business. 

Kevin Stefanski addresses Browns QB room for immediate future, Joe Flacco’s role

Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson didn’t play all that well in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he stepped up when the Cleveland Browns needed him most. For that, head coach Kevin Stefanski is handing him the keys to the offense once again in Week 12. The rookie will start on the road for the […]