How the Cleveland Browns Can Still Impact the Playoff Picture

by Chris Pokorny on Dec 24, 2010 2:30 PM EST in General News

There is one thing that Cleveland Browns fans have to deal with: no matter what, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth. They currently hold the No. 2 seed, which is good for a first-round bye. Right now, there is only one team in the AFC that has a chance to take the No. 2 seed instead: the Baltimore Ravens. The only way that Baltimore would be able to do that is if they win their final two games, one of which is against the Browns, and the Steelers then lose to the Browns. Either way, we'd basically be giving one AFC North team a first-round bye by default.

The bigger impact we can have is trying to keep one of those teams out of the playoffs altogether. Since the Steelers have clinched, that means the Browns can play a hand in Baltimore being ousted from postseason contention. If Baltimore wins one of their final two games (they face Cleveland and Cincinnati), they will clinch a wildcard spot. If they lose them both, then that opens Pandora's Box for either the San Diego Chargers or the Jacksonville Jaguars to sneak in instead.

So, in summary:

Pittsburgh will clinch the No. 2 seed if...they beat the Browns, or if the Ravens lose one of their final two games.
Baltimore will clinch the No. 2 seed if...they beat the Browns and the Bengals, and then Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland.
Baltimore will clinch a wildcard spot if...they win one of their final two games, or if San Diego and Jacksonville each lose one of their final two games.
Baltimore will miss the playoffs if...they lose against the Browns and the Bengals, and either San Diego or Jacksonville win both of their final two games.

The odds are definitely in favor of the AFC North having two teams involved in postseason play. If you had the choice though, would you rather see Baltimore have the No. 2 seed, or Pittsburgh have the No. 2 seed, given the scenario that would have to occur over the final two weeks! Remember, that scenario involves Cleveland losing to Baltimore this week, and Pittsburgh losing to Cleveland next week (and the Ravens beating the Bengals).

For my vote, I don't care what seed Pittsburgh gets -- I'd rather the Browns finish the season with two straight division wins.

Poll

Given the scenario that would have to occur for Pittsburgh to lose the No. 2 seed (Baltimore would have to beat Cleveland this week, and Cleveland beats Pittsburgh next week), who would you rather see finish with the No. 2 seed?

Pittsburgh Steelers

404 votes

Baltimore Ravens

311 votes

715 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

You did not list the Comet, so I am abstaining.

ROHC THE SOHC.

by SpecialBrownie on Dec 24, 2010 2:43 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Abstain as well.

There’s no way I can vote for either and be able to look at my family in the eye this holiday.

There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you.
- Woody Hayes

by Culp's Freaking Hill on Dec 24, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Excellent! I vote for the comet.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Dec 25, 2010 5:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

From the immortal words of John Mckay…… “Three or four plane crashes and we are in the playoffs!”

by champion64 on Dec 24, 2010 3:04 PM EST reply actions

This poll is the equivalent of asking me who I would have rather seen win World War II — the Germans or the Japanese. . .

"There are a lot of Steelers fans around the city so I hope people go to work and kick those Steelers fans.’’ - Josh Cribbs.

by TheDriveStillHurts on Dec 24, 2010 3:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Would rather beat the Steelers but almost want to lose out for draft and hoping to get gruden

by Luke C on Dec 24, 2010 5:37 PM EST reply actions

Grinch!

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Dec 25, 2010 5:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I honestly would pick Cincinnati over these two.

by champion64 on Dec 24, 2010 7:05 PM EST reply actions

To hell with the Steelers, I’d sell my soul to the Ravens then see them win another title.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=451

by Heavysoviet on Dec 24, 2010 10:09 PM EST reply actions

Of course, I’d still prefer not to lost to the Ravens just because. I want to give those pansies the hell they deserve. This division is hard for us.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=451

by Heavysoviet on Dec 24, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

lose***

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=451

by Heavysoviet on Dec 24, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

I gotta go with the steelers because I would love to win these last two games, but my heart is really with the meteor.

Go Patriots, Colts/Jags, Chargers/KC, Jets, every NFC team, and whoever else might make it to the playoffs.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Dec 25, 2010 12:50 AM EST reply actions

If we run golan’s play we might be able to help the Steelers out a bit by sending Ray Lewis to them with some really sore ribs.

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi

by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 25, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

This is all no good.

So for Sqealers to not get the 2 seed Browns have ta lose to Ratbirds this weekend. This is all just so unsettling. I despise the Rats but I absolutely HATE the Squealers. I mean just hate ‘em. However by beating them both, then they screw up “Next Years” draft. Green and Fairley will surely be gone cause Browns will pick mid to late teens yet still wont be an 8-8 team. However Mangina (Now I know why he’s called that after praising Ray Lewis on him always backing up his words) will be gone. Lose to Rats, beat the Squeals in a blizzard. 6-10 Draft Fairley!

Scarred Old Slaver knows he's doin' alright, hear him whip the women just around midnite. "Brown Sugar", The Rolling Stones

by Thumpin96 on Dec 25, 2010 11:33 AM EST reply actions

Flag

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Dec 25, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

McCoy will be a factor on intermediate-length throws against the Ravens pass defense according to a write-up on ESPN

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi

by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 25, 2010 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Solid article.

McCoy has always displayed accuracy on those intermediate throws.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Dec 25, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

which is something we’ve struggled with since expansion.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Dec 25, 2010 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Intermediate throws… 15 to 30 yards?

by emily522 on Dec 26, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Also, I hope our #12 turns out to be like the #12 who’s pictured next to him.

by emily522 on Dec 26, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

I have even higher hopes (but then I’m sure that comes as no surprise to anyone ;)

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi

by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 26, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

Well, strictly speaking the article refers to the 11-to-20 yard range (his high accuracy and the weakness on that passing zone for the Ravens). McCoy apparently has the highest passer rating in the league for passing in that zone.

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi

by burntorangeandbrown on Dec 26, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I posted that before I read the article. That’s promising though.

by emily522 on Dec 26, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

I want to wish everyone here at DBN a merry Christmas. Hope you are all spending time with your moms, dads, wives, and kids. It’s a time to appreciate what you have. Family conquers all.
Right now I’m hangin’ out with my behemoth dog and watching him play with his presents. When my step mom and step brother leave I’m heading up North to have dinner with my mom and sisters.

OH, my step mom got me a new razor for Xmas. It’s awesome. Kosar, my dog, completely dismantled mine last week.

Sorry, but Kosar can be the Browns mascot.

Merry Christmas and GO BROWNS!!!

It’s not a lie if you believe it.

by Brownie's Year on Dec 25, 2010 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Probably not good for a dog to play with your razor. How old is he?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Dec 25, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

My bad. I meant to say shaver, not razor. I don’t know if he swallowed some mechanical pieces or what, but that thing was all over the floor.

Lil’ Bernie Kosar is 20 months old. The pic does not do his size justice. Rottweiler/ Pointer.115lbs of lap dog. The best thing to ever happen to me. I love that dog.

It’s not a lie if you believe it.

by Brownie's Year on Dec 25, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Rottweiler/ Pointer

Gah, keep him away from the children. His evil half would scare the crap outta me around young ones.

ROHC THE SOHC.

by SpecialBrownie on Dec 25, 2010 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I know. He’s very territorial but likes kids. It’s women he doesn’t like. Not sure why. He growls and barks at ONLY adult women. He bit my ex in the face because she thought it was ok to run up and give him a kiss. Got her ear and cheek pretty good. Lol

It’s not a lie if you believe it.

by Brownie's Year on Dec 26, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

Hardest.Poll.Ever!!!!

"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden

by Kimble_79 on Dec 25, 2010 11:48 PM EST reply actions

Eff who else makes the playoffs and how. Just win, Brownies.

Never underestimate the powers of Josh Cribbs.

by RelapsingDawgCatcher on Dec 26, 2010 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hate the Ravens. Hate them so much. I hate the Steelers too, but I just cannot stand Ray Lewis. After reading what he said about Peyton Hillis’s big game against them earlier in the year… (and I preface this by saying I normally don’t wish harm on any player) I hope Peyton Hillis jacks Ray Lewis and shuts him up.

by shep615 on Dec 26, 2010 1:13 AM EST reply actions

Oh. And if we could spoil one team or the other, I want it to be the Ravens.

by shep615 on Dec 26, 2010 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

In the tradition of the best self help books, we may want to start by adapting our behaviors annually towards what we´d like to be. A marquee club is not a spoiler, not a toiler and not a foiler, ect…Let´s make sure we can dip deep into the wishing well f***it buckitt comes around.

by mooncamping on Dec 26, 2010 8:48 AM EST reply actions

wishing well when…typo

by mooncamping on Dec 26, 2010 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

My theory of voting, one is already in and 1 has a chance to be out. I would rather see someone out than both of them in. Ray Lewis is a terrible dancer so not seeing that would be good. In addition, I would like to see if James Harrison leads the league with regular season and post season fines.

by SBP on Dec 26, 2010 9:38 AM EST reply actions