CLEVELAND — Despite falling to 7-8 after a 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day, the Cleveland Browns' path to the playoff remains alive.
But while many fans have opted to focus on what's left of Cleveland's playoff hopes -- which includes the Browns winning their two remaining games and getting some much-needed help elsewhere -- head coach Kevin Stefanski only has his eyes set on a single game.
"We have to control what we can control, I think is really the biggest thing there. That's right in front of us, is this game. And that's what's the most important," Stefanski said, referring to Cleveland's upcoming matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. "Certainly frustrated with how the last game went. But we -- coaches, players, staff -- have to put all our energies into this game this week."
That, however, doesn't change the reality that the Browns not only still have a potential path to the playoffs remaining, but that it's a realistic one. Heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, Cleveland needs the following results to clinch its first division title since the 1989 season:
- Cincinnati Bengals lose to Kansas City Chiefs
- Baltimore Ravens lose to either the Los Angeles Rams or Steelers
- Browns beat Steelers and Bengals
For what it's worth, the Bengals and Ravens are both underdogs this weekend, while Cleveland is a three-point favorite at Pittsburgh. But with the Browns having no margin for error and needing both Cincinnati and Baltimore to lose, oddsmakers currently give Cleveland just a 6-to-1 shot of winning the AFC North.
Not that any of that matters to Stefanski, who remains singularly focused on beating the Steelers. Asked if his three children might find themselves rooting for the Chiefs and Rams this weekend, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year didn't exactly offer a ringing endorsement.
"They can do whatever they want," Stefanski said.