NFL Playoffs: Browns Officially Eliminated
Yesterday we went through all the different things that would have to happen over the next two weeks for the Cleveland Browns to make the playoffs. There were 10 things that were needed for the Browns to make a miracle run, one of which was a tie next week.
Alas the miracle run did not even get started as the first domino the Browns needed to fall their way did not. The San Diego Chargers came from a 21 point deficit to beat the San Francisco 49ers. This officially eliminates the Browns from being in the hunt for the playoffs. The Chargers already sit with 9 wins, the max the Browns can get, and have a better conference record, the top tie breaker.
The Browns now sit with having missed the NFL Playoffs for 12 straight seasons. Their last playoff appearance was back in 2002 when they lost 36 – 33 to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card game.
Since then the Browns have had only one non-losing record in a season, 2007 where they missed the playoffs despite a 10 – 6 record. That year was the exciting year of Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards. With two games left the Browns need one victory to secure a non-losing season as they currently sit 7 – 7.
Sadly the Browns 7 wins are already an achievement compared to most seasons since their return. The Browns have only had 7 or more wins in three seasons, ’01, ’02 and ’07. A sad state of affairs for a 16 year stretch.
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It speaks to the difficult culture that Mike Pettine has talked about defeating. While Browns fans were hopeful that the team could make a playoff push this season, especially after starting out with a stellar 6 – 3 record, it was a tough road for them to overcome the culture of losing, change philosophies on both sides of the ball all while competing in a historically good AFC North and a very tough AFC overall.
The team has fallen apart to some extent in the last few games but it really started long before that. The Alex Mack injury keyed a struggle to run the ball for the Browns, the staple of their offense. Instead of having a stellar running game, and a play-action pass game off of it, the Browns were left to manufacture yards and points with a limited talent base.
As it is the future looks very bright for the Browns, especially if they can get things figured out at the quarterback spot. The Browns have 10 draft picks and a large amount of cap space to continue to add talent to their roster. Finishing the season strong, especially if they can pull off a winning 9 – 7 record, would be huge in turning the tide.
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What do you think about the Browns season now that they are officially eliminated from the NFL Playoffs Race?