A second straight loss did the Cleveland Browns no favors with what the NFL playoffs currently look like.

Cleveland took a 36-19 loss on the chin against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, for the second straight week.

In Week 14, the Browns are going to have a big opportunity to help themselves against an AFC opponent the Jacksonville Jaguars. Three straight losses would not go over well in Cleveland.

Current playoff picture following Week 13

Miami Dolphins (9-3)

Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Indianapolis Colts (7-5)

Cleveland Browns (7-5)

In the hunt

Houston Texans (7-5)

Denver Broncos (6-6)

Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)

Buffalo Bills (6-6)

The Browns have fell one spot in the seeding to No. 7, also known as the final playoff spot. Back in Week 7, the Browns just barely snuck by the Colts by a score of 39-38. But since the Colts have a better conference record, they hold the tiebreaker between the teams that are 7-5.

Baltimore has had their bye week, so now every team currently in the playoffs has played the same amount of games. According to the New York Times Playoff Simulator, the Browns currently have a 59 percent chance to make the playoffs. Before the loss to the Rams, Cleveland was sitting at 65 percent.

Can the Browns still win the AFC North?

According to the same simulator, the Browns have just a six percent chance to win the division. The Ravens lead the way with an 86 percent chance, while the Steelers are at 7 percent.

Baltimore is two games ahead of the Browns and Steelers, though they do have the toughest schedule in the NFL left. Baltimore still has to play the Dolphins, 49ers, Jaguars, Rams, and Steelers. That is not a light stretch at all this year to close things out.

Cleveland split games with both Baltimore and Pittsburgh this season, so they won’t be able to help themselves. The Browns need to win while hoping for the Ravens to slip up a few times.

Who else should Browns fans root for in Week 14?

Baltimore is coming off of their bye week to play the red-hot Rams, who just beat Cleveland by 17 points. The Browns will be a fan of the team who just beat them this week.

With the Browns playing Jacksonville, they could potentially steal an AFC game from a team with a higher seed. The Colts are chasing the Jaguars in the AFC South and they’ll be playing the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland will be rooting for the Bengals to win that game.

Will the Browns make the playoffs?

Yes, I do believe that the Browns will still make the playoffs. The last two games have been rough but the Browns return home in Week 14, where they’ve played exceptionally this season. Jacksonville is banged up, too, so that is going to play a role.

Cleveland has to find a way to win 10 games and they should be in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. It is very well a mark that this team could reach, even with all of the injuries they’ve had. 

Browns veteran team captain nominated for prestigious NFL award

It’s an award that has a lot of meaning behind it that he could win.