CLEVELAND — They say patience is a virtue, right?
Despite going into Week 16 with eight possible scenarios to clinch a playoff berth over the Christmas holiday, the Browns will have to wait at least another several days before getting another shot at earning a bid. All of the situations would've involved Cleveland beating the Houston Texans on Sunday, but each and every one of those situations was sent to the waste bin before that game even kicked off.
Both legs of a special NFL Saturday doubleheader had great bearing on what the Browns' path would be, and when the Pittsburgh Steelers clobbered the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 in the afternoon, seven of the eight clinching scenarios became moot. The only remaining one would've required the Los Angeles Chargers to upset Buffalo, but while 13-point underdog LA made a valiant effort, the Bills prevailed 24-22 to keep their own postseason hopes alive.
This means even if the currently 9-5 Browns beat the 8-6 Texans on Christmas Eve, it will not be enough to secure a playoff spot, at least not yet. The matchup itself is a crucial one for the AFC wild-card picture, and Cleveland is currently favored by three with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud set to miss his second straight game.
Despite the (hopefully) temporary setback, the Browns remain in prime position to reach the playoffs for the second time in four years, controlling their own destiny with what right now stands as the best record among AFC wild-card contenders. Coming into Saturday,
We've known for a while now that the Browns are right in the middle of a playoff race, currently owning the best record among AFC wild-card contenders at 9-5. ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cleveland a 90.6% chance of reaching the postseason, the fourth-best odds of all NFL teams who have yet to clinch a spot.
One more thing: While everyone's attention is on the wild-card race, the Browns still technically have a shot to claim their first divisional title in 34 years. However, they currently trail Baltimore by two games in the AFC North, and the already postseason-bound Ravens can also wrap up first place this weekend if either one of these two storylines come to fruition:
- Cleveland loses or ties vs. Houston and Baltimore beats the San Francisco 49ers Monday night
- Cleveland loses to Houston and Baltimore ties San Francisco
Merry Christmas, everyone. Keep keeping hope alive!