As we head toward the home stretch of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture is coming into focus. The Cleveland Browns put all of their eggs in the Deshaun Watson basket … and the basket broke.
While the offense has been better under Jameis Winston, a return to the postseason does not seem to be on the docket for the Browns this season. Let’s examine exactly where the Browns’ playoff odds lie heading into their second matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
Can the Browns Still Make the Playoffs?
Update: The Browns have officially been eliminated from playoff contention after their loss to the Steelers.
After the Week 14 TNF game, the Cleveland Browns are 3-9 and now have a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the first seed, a 0.0% chance for the second seed, a 0.0% chance for the third seed, a 0.0% chance for the fourth seed, a <0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a <0.1% chance for the sixth seed, and a 0.2% chance for the seventh seed.
AFC Playoff Scenarios and Standings
Below are the AFC standings entering Week 14. The top seven seeds are in the playoffs:
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
- Buffalo Bills (10-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
- Houston Texans (8-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
- Denver Broncos (8-5)
- Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
- Miami Dolphins (6-7)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
- Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- Tennessee Titans (3-9)
- New York Jets (3-9)
- New England Patriots (3-10)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Browns’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins
- Week 18: at Baltimore Ravens
Browns at Steelers Preview and Insights
This is the second meeting between these two teams, with the first coming just two weeks ago. The Steelers were coming off a huge win over the Baltimore Ravens and were primed for a letdown in a snow game on a short week. Thus, the Browns got the better of them in Cleveland. This game should be much different.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Winston has returned. We got the full Winston experience on Monday night against the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He made ridiculous throws for long touchdowns … to both teams. However, Winston has still given the Browns’ offense a huge spark.
Yet, this Steelers defense was able to hold him to his lowest passing yardage total of the season (219). It’s tough to move the ball against the Steelers. They rank second in first downs allowed per game, fifth in interception rate, and fifth in yards per carry allowed. They also possess the ball more than any team in the league, making it tough to get going.
Russell Wilson has turned back the clock and is playing like vintage Seattle Seahawks Wilson. The Browns rank 31st in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 23rd in opponent rushing yards per game.
Pittsburgh can win through the air or the ground. It’s entirely up to them. Based on what they’ve done this season, expect them to lean on Najee Harris, as evidenced by their 51% neutral game script run rate, the third-highest in the league.
Entering this game as 6.5-point home favorites, the Steelers are poised to exact revenge and level the season series. That is exactly what we predict will happen.
