If it feels strange to have an article about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL playoffs, that feeling is probably a valid one. The Browns validated the early lack of trust in their 3-1 record, with a letdown game in Week 5 versus the New York Jets. There were a lot of reasons to blame for the loss, but for many, it proved that the winning streak was more fool’s gold than fact.
On the other hand, Cleveland is 3-2, with a showdown with the AFC North leading Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, with their rival traveling to the shores of Lake Erie. A win in Week 6 would put the Browns back at the top of the AFC North standings heading into Week 7.
For now, the division looks like this:
Ravens: 4-1
Browns: 3-2 (Owns tiebreaker due to head-to-head versus Pittsburgh and division record versus Cincinnati)
Steelers: 3-2 (Owns head-to-head versus Cincinnati)
Bengals: 3-2
The AFC playoff picture is also very muddled, with three AFC North teams just on the outside looking in, pending the results of Monday Night Football between the 3-1 Buffalo Bills and the 2-2 Los Angeles Rams:
Kansas City Chiefs: 4-0
Baltimore Ravens: 4-1
Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-1
Buffalo Bills: 3-1
New England Patriots: 3-2
Denver Broncos: 3-2
Las Vegas Raiders: 3-2
Cleveland Browns: 3-2
Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-2
Cincinnati Bengals: 3-2
New York Jets: 2-3
Indianapolis Colts: 2-3
Houston Texans: 1-4
Miami Dolphins: 0-5
Los Angeles Chargers: 0-5
Tennessee Titans: 0-5
A myriad of early-season tiebreakers keep the Browns out of a playoff spot this week.
What jumps out to you when you look at the AFC North and playoff standings above?
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