Cleveland Browns: Baker’s Browns’ Possible Playoff Pathway

It’s not likely, but the Cleveland Browns could finish on a run and find themselves in the playoffs. Here we look at the possible ways it can happen.

In the DPD article Cleveland Browns Baker-Chubb-Landry: Spoiler-Alert! I dared to write:

"“At this point, the 5-7-1 Cleveland Browns’ playoff chances are about as minuscule as a set of Michael Bennett’s shoulder pads.Wee and itty-bitty come to mind, no offense either way.”"

Well, let’s just say a whole bunch of online Browns fans seemed both confused and offended by my assessment.

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For example:

“There’s still a small chance,” argued optimistic Adam.

Um, itty-bitty, wee and small are kinda the same, Adam.

“We are mathematically alive in a 6th seed,” noted a nice nerd named Nick.

Um, never said we weren’t, sir.

“Yet again not out of the playoffs,” Kyler concluded.

Rodney rebutted this one for me with, “Be realistic bro!”

Let’s be honest, Browns fans – we’re all correct.

The Browns playoff chances as of Week 14.5 are both itty-bitty and unrealistically yet mathematically possible.

But still possible, by Dorsey.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what has to happen for the 5-7-1 Cleveland Browns to shock the world.

Current AFC Playoff Seeds and their records:

1. (x) Kansas City Chiefs, 11-2
2. New England Patriots, 9-4
3. Houston Texans, 9-4
4. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7-5
5. Los Angeles Chargers, 10-3
6. Baltimore Ravens, 7-6

Still Alive:

7. Indianapolis Colts, 7-6
8. Miami Dolphins, 7-6
9. Tennessee Titans, 7-6
10. Denver Broncos, 6-7
11. Cleveland Browns, 5-7-1
12. Cincinnati Bengals, 5-8

Theoretically, there are two ways for the Browns to make the playoffs:

1)      Win the AFC North outright;

2)      Leapfrog over current seeds 6 thru 10 and become the sixth seed wild card team.

For the first option to happen:

The Browns would have to win their final three games against the Denver Broncos, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens;

PLUS

Since the Steelers have already beaten the Browns, they win the tiebreaker, so Pittsburgh would have to lose all three of their final three games to New England, New Orleans and Cincinnati;

PLUS

The Ravens would have to lose at least two of their final three games with Tampa Bay, LA Chargers and Cleveland.

All that happening would result in the Browns, 8-7-1, the Ravens, 8-8 and the Steelers, 7-8-1.

Analysis:

The Browns winning out and the Ravens losing to both the Chargers and Browns is actually imaginable.

But what’s difficult to picture is ALL of that happening AND the Hue-infested Bengals beating the Steelers.

But it is mathematically possible.

For the second option to happen:

The Browns would have to win out;

PLUS

Teams like the Ravens, Colts, Dolphins and Titans would all have to go 1-2, AT BEST, for the rest of the season.

Analysis:

That’s a lot of Ifs, Ands, and Upsets.

Again, though, it’s mathematically possible.

Conclusion:

Yes indeedy, Browns fans, it’s still entirely possible that the 2018 Cleveland Browns can go 8-7-1 after a 0-16 season and still make the playoffs.

[pause for woof-woof break]

I’d like to end this piece by paraphrasing the words of an online gentleman named Mr. Macey, who sums up the 2018 Browns season like this:

"“It’s December and we aren’t talking about what QB to take and we are mathematically alive in a 6th seed…all in all I’d say that’s a plus LOL” — Mr. Macey"

Except few Dawgs are “laughing out loud” about it, Mr. Macey.

Certainly not Mr. Mayfield and his ‘playoff bound’ Cleveland Browns.

Best thing we Browns fans can do right now is just take it all in and enjoy it while it’s still mathematically possible, by Dorsey.