What is the Cleveland Browns' path to the playoffs after win vs. Ravens?

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns kept their playoff hopes alive with their 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

But time is running out.

While the Browns received some help on Sunday in the form of losses by the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, Cleveland also took a hit with wins by the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

As such, the Browns' playoff chances currently remain at just 1 percent according to Five Thirty-Eight. Having already been eliminated from winning the AFC North, Cleveland's only path to making the playoffs is via one of the AFC's three Wild Card spots, where the Browns currently sit in eighth place.

So what does Cleveland need to happen to make the playoffs? Let's take a look.

AFC standings

Coming out of Week 15, here's a look at the current AFC Playoff picture:

(* denotes having already clinched a division title)

Division Leaders

1. Buffalo Bills (11-3)*
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)
4. Tennessee Titans (7-7)

Wild Card

1. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
3. Miami Dolphins (8-6)
4. New England Patriots (7-7)
5. New York Jets (7-7)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
7. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
8. Cleveland Browns (6-8)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8)
10. Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)

Between records and current tiebreakers, the Browns currently find themselves behind four other teams for the third and final AFC Wild Card spot. Any scenario for Cleveland to make the playoffs first hinges on the Browns winning their final three games, as their next defeat will officially eliminate them from postseason contention.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Cleveland has lost head-to-head tiebreakers against the Chargers, Dolphins, Patriots and Jets, meaning that the Browns need to finish with a better record than any of those teams in order to pass them.

So how can Cleveland climb into a Wild Card spot? In addition to winning out, the Browns need five of the following to occur during the final three weeks of the regular season:

• Raiders go 2-1 or worse
• Jaguars go 2-1 or worse or Titans go 2-1 or worse
• Jets go 1-2 or worse
• Patriots go 1-2 or worse
• Dolphins go 0-3
• Chargers go 0-3
• Ravens go 0-3

It's also worth noting that even if Cleveland wins its Week 16 matchup vs. the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, the Browns can be eliminated this week if all of the following outcomes occur:

• Ravens beat Falcons
• Chargers beat Colts
• Patriots beat Bengals or Dolphins beat Packers

What's next?

The following three games remain on the Browns' 2022 schedule:

• Dec. 24 vs. New Orleans Saints
• Jan. 1 at Washington Commanders
• Jan. 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers

While none of Cleveland's three remaining games should be considered difficult, they each come against formidable opponents. Currently, the Browns are listed as a 3-point favorite over the Saints.