The Cleveland Browns moved to 6-3 with the 10-7 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
However, they are one of six AFC teams at 6-3 and are on the outside looking in at the playoffs.
The AFC has completed all games for Week 10, and here is the playoff picture:
Playoff picture:
AFC
1. #Steelers (bye)
2. #Chiefs vs 7. #Ravens
3. #Bills vs 6. #Dolphins
4. #Colts vs 5. #RaidersNFC
1. #Packers (bye)
2. #Saints vs 7. #Seahawks
3. #AZCardinals vs 6. #Rams
4. #Eagles vs 5. #Bucs— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) November 16, 2020
The expanded playoffs help the Browns’ chances of a 2020 postseason berth, and here is where you can find the Browns in the mix of 6-3 teams:
- 4. Indianapolis Colts 6-3 (Browns are 1-0 against the Colts)
- 5. Las Vegas Raiders 6-3 (Browns are 0-1 against the Raiders)
- 6. Miami Dolphins 6-3 (Browns do not face the Dolphins in 2020 regular season)
- 7. Baltimore Ravens 6-3 (Browns are 0-1 against the Ravens; next game: December 14 in Cleveland)
- 8. Cleveland Browns 6-3
- 9. Tennessee Titans 6-3 (Browns face the Titans on December 6 in Tennessee)
So, why are the Browns in eighth even though they have the Week 5 victory over the fourth-place Colts?
Tiebreaking Procedures: Why are the Browns in Eighth?
There are plenty of tiebreakers that may change throughout the rest of the 2020 season.
However, the tiebreaking procedures are currently not in the Browns’ favor.
Since the Colts defeated the Titans on Thursday of Week 10, Indianapolis is in the fourth seed.
The Colts are the AFC South division leader and have been able to knock out the Titans for the time being.
Meanwhile, the Browns and Titans will determine their tiebreaker in Week 13 when Cleveland heads to Tennessee.
For the time being, Cleveland owns the tiebreaker over Tennesee because the Browns have a higher winning percentage in common games.
The Browns will also have the chance to split their season series with the Ravens in Week 14’s edition of Monday Night Football.
Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, the Browns lost their meeting with the Raiders earlier this season.
In addition, Baker Mayfield and company will not have the chance to take on the Dolphins.
However, the Browns do own the tiebreaker over Philip Rivers and the Colts.
Therefore, if Indianapolis falters and the Titans take over the AFC South, that will be good news for the Browns.
There is still a lot to be determined in the AFC playoff picture, and the Browns have an intriguing schedule for the remainder of 2020.
How Does the Browns Schedule Affect Cleveland’s Chances at the Postseason
Sitting at 6-3, will Cleveland make the postseason for the first time since 2002? 👀 pic.twitter.com/OU4qkdhKRX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 16, 2020
The aforementioned back-to-back weeks against current 6-3 teams will be very important for the Browns:
- Week 13 – Sunday, December 6: at Tennessee Titans
- Week 14 – Monday, December 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Prior to those contests, Cleveland hosts the 3-5-1 Philadelphia Eagles and heads to Jacksonville to take on the 1-8 Jaguars.
The Browns should be the favorites for both of these games.
Then, in Week 15 and 16, Cleveland will be at MetLife Stadium to first take on the Giants and then the Jets.
The Browns should once again be projected to win both of these football games.
Week 17 is a home contest against the 9-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Will the Steelers be playing their starters in this contest, or will they already have the No. 1 seed in the AFC wrapped up?
If Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers stars are not playing in the final regular-season game, that could be another Cleveland victory.
Every week will be interesting for the Browns, but they have to take advantage of these mid-season home games after the bye week.
They already did so with the Texans, and they have to with the Eagles as well.
Then, Cleveland has to become road warriors against the Jaguars, Titans, Giants, and Jets.
It will be a very interesting end to the 2020 season for the Browns, and fans hope that the long postseason drought ends this year.
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