Dawgs By Nature
Cleveland Browns fans might be a little nuts about their team, but they are not delusional. When we covered the Browns chances of making the playoffs in early November, we noted that their playoff hopes were “not zero” in recognizing the unlikely nature of the possibility. Since then, Cleveland has lost two of three but is still not eliminated from playoff contention despite their 3-8 record.
We have to have some positivity on Thanksgiving!
The AFC playoff picture has a bunch of teams, with some big-name QBs not currently slotted with a playoff position, with six or seven wins fighting for four of the seven spots. The Browns NFL draft position is a far more important conversation, but for the sake of this article, Cleveland is currently the 13th seed in the AFC.
According to the New York Times, the Browns currently have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. Using their simulator, that chance rises to 8% if they win out and finish the year with a 9-8 record:
So, even if Cleveland can knock off four potential playoff teams along the way, they are still highly unlikely to make the postseason.
Interestingly, if the Cincinnati Bengals knock off the Baltimore Ravens this week, the Browns playoff hopes more than double:
Working through the rest of Week 13’s games, Cleveland’s playoff odds can get all the way up to 27%, again assuming they win out. Basically, the path to the playoffs includes rooting against:
Any more losses by the Browns all but eliminate their chances of making the playoffs, so, for now, it is one more interesting thing to look at as Thanksgiving morning is upon us.
Are you surprised, one way or another, at the Browns playoff odds if they win out and end up with a 9-8 record?
Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below
