In a strange loophole that will almost certainly not occur, the Browns vs. 49ers outcome technically still has potential meaning.
Currently, this is what the playoff race looks like:
| Team | W | L | Ties | NA | Conf |
| Cleveland Browns | 9 | 6 | -- | -- | 7-5 |
| Tennessee Titans | 9 | 6 | -- | -- | 6-5 |
However, what would happen if the Browns win their game and the Titans' game doesn't end in a win or a loss -- but a tie?
| Team | W | L | Ties | NA | Conf |
| Cleveland Browns | 10 | 6 | -- | -- | 7-5 |
| Tennessee Titans | 9 | 6 | 1 | -- | 6-5-1 |
In that rare case, the Browns would make the postseason. However, if the Browns lost their game, a Titans' tie would make the standings look like this:
| Team | W | L | Ties | NA | Conf |
| Tennessee Titans | 9 | 6 | 1 | -- | 6-5-1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 9 | 7 | -- | -- | 7-5 |
So, in almost all certainty, you can claim the outcome of the Browns' game has no purpose. Because of this minute detail though, and the .00001% chance of it happening, I am convinced that it is most definitely worth it to play our starters for all four quarters.