Even though they lost a heartbreaker to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, the Cleveland Browns still have a path to the AFC North title.
The Cleveland Browns were on the verge of pulling off the huge win over the Baltimore Ravens. Yet, the late game heroics of Lamar Jackson and the clutch leg of Justin Tucker sunk those plans, as the Browns fell 47-42.
If the Browns had ended up on the winning end, they’d have pulled within one game of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North lead. While the Browns sit at 9-4 on the season and are still in the driver’s seat to clinch a playoff berth, there’s still have a path to the division crown. And we stress a path.
Browns would need to win out to clinch division
With this loss, the Browns have literally one path to clinch the division. They would need to win their next two games against the New York Giants and Jets, which is certainly attainable, especially with the latter winless team. But then, they’d have to defeat the Steelers in Week 17 to complete the trifecta.
That’s cool and all, but that path is only attainable if the Steelers lose their next two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts. That’s the only way the Browns can win the division crown. In fact, Pittsburgh can win the AFC North as early as Week 15 if they defeat the Joe Burrow-less Bengals. But there is pressure on the Browns to win, because as soon as they lose a game, it’s over.
AFC North champions or not, the Browns proved that they belong in the playoffs, and if their game against the Ravens proved anything, it’s that they’re going to be an absolute pain for their opponents once the brackets are revealed. Cheer up Browns fans, the future is bright under Kevin Stefanski, Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt leading the way.