CLEVELAND — Jarvis Landry knows the Cleveland Browns’ playoff hopes took a huge hit with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on December 1, but mathematically, they are very much alive in the postseason chase.
Although an AFC North Division championship is no longer an option, as the Baltimore Ravens have rattled off 10 straight wins since losing to Cleveland in Baltimore, the Browns are one of the teams in the hunt for a wildcard berth.
“A lot of things happened in the season, and a lot of times, when you’re turning the ball over, have penalties, it’s not usually a successful season, so for us, we made our bed to this point and we know we have to win out,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said following Thursday’s practice at team headquarters in Berea.
“We know the situation and it’s going to take all of us. Regardless of what anybody’s done to this point, we’ve still got an opportunity this week to put us in position that if the cards fall the right way, we can still have our shot at the playoffs.”
RELATED | Olivier Vernon ruled out, JC Tretter questionable for Cleveland Browns’ game at Arizona Cardinals
Currently, at 6-7, the Browns are two games in back of the Steelers and Tennessee Titans for the sixth and final spot in the AFC Playoffs with just three weeks remaining in the season, but if Cleveland keeps winning over the stretch run, they may well find themselves breaking the NFL’s longest active postseason drought.
The Browns’ playoff absence stands at 16 years and counting, and started in the 2003 regular season.
“We’re winning games,” Landry said. “I think there are things that we can do better, things that we can eliminate. Obviously, turnovers came back into the picture in a couple of these games and we found a way to play through them and still made plays, but there are obviously things we can get better at.
“To try to find a way to be able to play the offense that we know we can be, that we know that we’re capable of and not just winning the game. Obviously, that’s the point of the whole thing, but being able to do what you want, and I think that we have the talent. We have the group of guys to be able to do what you want, and we’ve just, you know, got to find ways to do it.”
RELATED | Joel Bitonio: ‘I’m willing to bet Nick Chubb truly does want just team success’ for Cleveland Browns
Individually, Landry has been on the receiving end of 69 passes, which he has turned into 995 yards, a 14.4 yards-per-catch average and five touchdown receptions. Also, Landry has ripped off a 10-yard run on his only carry of the season.
Landry leads the Browns in catches, receiving yards, and touchdown catches and is first in average yards-per-reception among all receivers with 11 or more catches.
But none of that individual success matters, not with Landry looking to make only the second trip to the postseason in his six-year career.
“It’s whatever,” Landry said of nearing 1,000 yards receiving. “I think for me, honestly, 1,000 yards, you know I plan on catching every year, and even in the past two years where I could have easily had it, but you know, if the wins come, that’s all I care about.”