For the Cleveland Browns the playoffs start now

All the chips are on the table for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns and their fans were hoping for a showdown with the Steelers at home in Week 17 to decide the winner of the AFC North. But the way that Week 16 played out for both teams has dramatically changed the dynamics of the last game of the regular season. Now this game only carries dire consequences for one team.

So, in effect, even without winning the AFC North, the Browns now have themselves a home playoff game. This upcoming game against the Steelers has all the makings of postseason play. It’s either win and advance or lose and go home.

Stakes don’t get higher than that. All the pressure is going to be on the Browns, as well as the spotlight of the NFL world. Welcome to the playoffs Cleveland.

It has been said for four straight weeks, but this is literally the biggest game the Browns franchise has been a part of since they returned to the league in 1999. It’s only fitting that a game of this magnitude comes against the Steelers. The fact that the Browns are facing a hated rival only adds to the already pressure-filled contest. Also, it has to be considered that if the Browns win, they may face the Steelers again the following week in the ‘official’ first round of the playoffs.

There are several unknown factors that will play a large role in how the regular-season finale will play out. Will the Browns get some of their players back from injury/close contact Covid protocol and be close to full strength? If the Browns get Ronnie Harrison and Wyatt Teller back from injury, it would be an immense boost to their respective sides of the ball. Both have been sorely missed and their absences have made the Browns a less physical team.

The Browns will not find out how many receivers (hopefully all) they will get back from the close contact Covid protocol until Thursday. If the players receive five straight days of negative Covid tests, they will be activated and allowed to practice. Baker Mayfield needs to have all of his weapons at his disposal if the Browns are going to face a full-strength Steelers squad.

However, the Steelers may choose to not be at full-strength. Will the Steelers play all of their starters or decide to use it as an extra bye week? The Steelers had an early semi-bye week forced on them in Week 4, due to the issues the Tennessee Titans faced with their Covid outbreak earlier this season. Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin may decide to rest some key starters in order to be physically ready for the rigors of the NFL playoffs.

Regardless of who plays and who sits, for either team, it will not be easy for the Browns. But if it was easy, it wouldn’t be Cleveland, would it?

EDIT: Since this post was submitted, the Steelers announced Mason Rudolph would be the starter. While this helps the Browns chances of success, it doesn’t make this game any more of a guarantee. Cleveland learned in Week 16 they can’t take anything for granted and need to treat this game as what it is — their first round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs.