Browns Playoff Picture: Cleveland is nearly a playoff lock after Week 16

It was another good week for the Cleveland Browns where they helped themselves out in the playoff picture. Cleveland went on the road and delivered a nice performance against the Houston Texans in a 36-22 victory for the Browns. It was a historical game for Amari Cooper, who broke the franchise record for receiving yards […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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It was another good week for the Cleveland Browns where they helped themselves out in the playoff picture.

Cleveland went on the road and delivered a nice performance against the Houston Texans in a 36-22 victory for the Browns. It was a historical game for Amari Cooper, who broke the franchise record for receiving yards in a game with 265.

At 10-5 on the season, there are just two games left in the regular season. Where exactly has time gone?

AFC playoff picture

  1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
  2. Miami Dolphins (11-4)
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
  5. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
  6. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
  7. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)

In the hunt for the playoffs

  1. Houston Texans (8-7)
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)

Are the Browns making the playoffs?

Cleveland is nearly a lock to be in the playoffs and a win against the New York Jets on Thursday will make that official. According to the New York Times, Cleveland has a 99 percent chance to make the playoffs.

The Browns will play against the Cincinnati Bengals in the final week of the season, who they beat to open this campaign. Depending on how Week 17 goes, it could be a game where the Browns rest starters ahead of the playoffs.

Is the No. 1 seed still a possibility?

Going into Monday Night Football in Week 16, the Browns were rooting for the San Francisco 49ers to defeat the Baltimore Ravens and that did not happen. Now, Cleveland needs the Ravens to lose their last two games against the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Additionally, Cleveland needs the Dolphins to lose their final game of the season against the Buffalo Bills. It is a long shot for the Browns to get the No. 1 seed, though there is still a chance.

Who will the Browns likely face in the playoffs?

Right now, Cleveland is set to make a trip to Jacksonville in the Wildcard round to face the Jaguars. A couple of weeks ago, the Browns beat the Jaguars, 31-27.

Jacksonville has been spiraling for the last month with four straight losses. They still lead the AFC South, but that could change if the Colts can win out and the Jaguars lose one more game.

Facing the Jaguars is a game the Browns would have to feel good about if that’s what happens. 

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