The Cleveland Browns have lost two games in a row, and with some uncertainty remaining at quarterback, that streak could reach three straight with a loss on Sunday against the Houston Texans. After holding first place in the AFC North just two weeks ago, their playoff hopes have taken a turn for the worse.
According to ESPN Analytics, heading into Week 10, Cleveland has a 9.6 percent chance to reach the postseason, a 0.7 percent chance to win the division, and the 16th-hardest schedule remaining. But it can turn those prospects around quickly by getting back on the winning track.
The Browns’ playoff chances could more than double with a victory on Sunday, which would send them into their bye week at 6-4.
“A win against the Texans at home on Sunday would boost these odds of making the playoffs to 24.3%. Cleveland is a 4.5-point underdog, according to DraftKings,” Oyefusi posted.
A win against the Texans at home on Sunday would boost these odds of making the playoffs to 24.3%.
Cleveland is a 4.5-point underdog, according to DraftKings. https://t.co/VmzHoHql0q
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 10, 2026
Over the previous five seasons, an NFL team that is 6-4 makes the playoffs around 59 percent of the time. But at 5-5, those odds drop to 36 percent.
Back when the Browns were 5-2, their postseason chances were better than 75 percent. Had they managed to defeat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, instead of losing 23-22 in overtime, to get to 6-3, their odds would have been around 71 percent.
There is no telling how a tie would have factored into these calculations, but at 5-3-1, the Browns would currently be holding the No. 7 seed in the AFC, ahead of the 5-4 New England Patriots. But with the loss, they are behind the Patriots based on their respective winning percentages in AFC games (New England 5-1, .833; Cleveland 3-3, .500).
A win at home on Sunday is doubly important, as the Browns may have to compete with the surging Texans for a wild-card berth. After opening the season 0-4, Houston has won three of its past four games to climb back into contention.
After their bye week, the Browns will play three more home games, including matchups against new Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza; the division rival Cincinnati Bengals; and former Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Atlanta Falcons.
NEXT: Browns Stay Quiet At NFL Trade Deadline
