Usually this time of year, Browns fans are well versed in every NFL mock draft available. However now it’s time to scoreboard watch. Prior to the first game against the Ravens, the Brown’s playoff chances improved due to key losses by the Colts, Chargers and Steelers. Then the Browns laid an egg and wasted an opportunity. During the bye week, the Browns playoff chances were again helped by loses by the Ravens, Bengals, Raiders, Broncos and Bills. The Browns now go into week 14 at 6-6 with five games to go and are still in the playoff hunt. Hard to believe this time last year the Browns were 9-3.
Currently the Browns are the eleventh seed in the AFC and only the top seven make the playoffs. So, what need to happen week 14? First and foremost, the Browns have to win on Sunday against the Ravens. Just like the Browns, there’s something wrong with the Ravens, who have not played well at times which means the Browns have a chance for a victory. For the Browns to climb to the seventh seed after this weekend the Steelers need to lose to the Vikings Thursday night. Then on Sunday the Browns need Kansas City to beat the Raiders, Denver to beat the Lions, the Giants to beat the Chargers, the 49ers to beat the Bengals and Tampa to beat the Bills. That’s a lot to hope for, but this NFL season has been unusual to say the least. Hell, Monday night a starting NFL quarterback won a game going 2 of 3 for 19 yards.
Because three of the Browns last five games are AFC North games, they still have a slight chance to win the division. For that to happen, the Browns need to win the remaining divisional games and for New England to win the AFC East, the Chiefs to win the AFC West and turmoil in the AFC South. Has your head exploded yet? Bottom line, the Browns need to come out of the bye week with their hair on fire and win some damn games, it’s crunch time. If they don’t, I’ll be looking at mock drafts till the end of the year. Everybody stay safe and Go Browns.