Where The Browns Sit In The Current Playoff Picture

browns playoffs — (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)

There is reason to be happy in Cleveland.

Don’t let planning for Thanksgiving this week distract you from the fact the Cleveland Browns are 7-3 and in 2nd place all alone in the AFC North.

— McNeil (@Reflog_18) November 23, 2020

After a weekend that saw the Cleveland Browns win yet another weather effected game, the Browns find themselves in second place.

So what does this mean for the Browns and the seeding of the playoffs?

Ten games into 2020 & as of today, the #Browns would be PLAYOFF BROWNS! pic.twitter.com/CQA3sXcIpR

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) November 23, 2020

That’s right-the Browns are currently the sixth seed in the AFC.

Under the new playoff rules for the expanded playoff field, only the number one seed gets an opening week bye.

However, the Steelers look like they have a stranglehold on that seed.

Can Cleveland improve it’s seeding? Absolutely.

The Browns have six games left, with three of them very much winnable: this coming Sunday against a hapless Jags team, and back-to-back games in the Meadowlands against the Giants and Jets on Dec. 20th and 27th.

The other three?

Well, I can imagine Browns fans have had two of them circled on the calendar: the second games against the Ravens on Dec. 14th, and closing the regular season against the Steelers on Jan. 3.

There is also a game against the Titans, who currently are one seed ahead of the Browns in the playoff picture.

That gives the Browns two games against teams that are currently higher seeds in the race, which is an opportunity for the Browns to fight for a higher seed.

We have all seen that this time of the year in Cleveland can be tricky to play in, but this team is built to get through the rough weather.

Nick Chubb did Nick Chubb things in Sunday’s win, including this:

I will never, ever get tired of watching this. #Browns pic.twitter.com/k1xK46rYhs

— Bryan Shaw (@WxShaw) November 22, 2020

The Browns offense rushed 40 times, but that is the type of offense you need in inclement weather: ball control and chew up yards.

The offensive line is coming together and has quickly turned into a team strength.

And while Baker Mayfield didn’t have eye-popping numbers (12-22, 204 yards, no TDs), he is doing exactly what head coach Kevin Stefanski is asking him to do.

Limit turnovers (although he had two fumbles, losing one), and complete passes as needed.

Mayfield made some big throws down the stretch for the Browns on Sunday, hooking up with Rashard Higgins for a big first down on 3 and 7, which led to a field goal.

Oh, and they linked up here, too.

Rashard Higgins with a spectacular catch from Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/nWNjT24UMM

— TUFF TALK (@TUFFPOD) November 22, 2020

The Steelers, Titans, and Ravens all have top 10 defenses, including against the run.

With all that being said, the Browns are going to need Mayfield to take the next step and become a true “field general” for the team.

That would include improving his accuracy, as he missed two wide-open receivers for touchdowns, and most importantly, getting rid of the ball rather than holding onto it trying to make something from nothing.

This is an important stretch of games coming up for the team.

If they can ride this momentum going forward, and make small tweaks, they can get a bit of revenge against the Ravens and Steelers and improve their playoff chances.

If that happens, we’ll all be like this guy.