As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture becomes clearer. The Cleveland Browns shelled out a whole lot of money for Deshaun Watson and have nothing to show for it.
While the offense has been better under Jameis Winston, a return to the postseason is not on the docket for the Browns this season. Let’s examine exactly where the Browns’ playoff odds lie after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
Can the Browns Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 13, the Cleveland Browns are 3-8 and now have a 0.1% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the 1 seed, a <0.1% chance for the second seed, a <0.1% chance for the third seed, a <0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a <0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a <0.1% chance for the sixth seed, and a 0.1% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Browns Win the AFC North?
Here’s what the AFC North race looks like after all the action in Week 12:
- The Baltimore Ravens have a 58.0% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 41.7% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cincinnati Bengals have a 0.3% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cleveland Browns have a <0.1% chance to win the AFC North.
Current AFC North Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
- Cleveland Browns (3-8)
AFC Playoff Race | Week 17
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-7)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
In The Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
11. New York Jets (4-11)
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
16. New England Patriots (3-12)
Browns’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 12
Can the Browns win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Cleveland has a <0.1% chance to win it all.
Browns’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 13: at Denver Broncos
- 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
What PFN Predicted for the Steelers vs. Browns Matchup
Every year, there are always surprise playoff teams in the NFL. Somehow, despite never being bad under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are a surprise. Pittsburgh is 8-2 and alone atop the AFC North. They’ve won five straight, and their strong defense just shut down Lamar Jackson and the explosive Baltimore Ravens offense.
This is going to be an interesting matchup. The Steelers want to run the ball. Their 52% neutral game script run rate is the second-highest in the league. Well, the Browns’ 58.8% rush-defense success rate is sixth-best in the league.
If the Steelers opt to take to the air, that’s quite interesting as well. Teams have been testing the Browns deep. They’ve faced the fifth-highest rate of downfield passes this season. However, they’re only surrendering completions on those passes at a 37% rate, eighth-lowest in the league.
The real problem for the Browns is going to be on offense. Jameis Winston has unlocked something very fun for this offense. Since he took over, the Browns are averaging 17.6 points per game. That may not seem like much, but they didn’t score over 18 points a single time while Deshaun Watson was under center. With that said, he’s still Jameis Winston. That means big plays and dangerous plays.
a little 🎱 magic!!#CLEvsNO on Fox and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/jYDRNnTbZr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 17, 2024
The Steelers are sixth in pass defense EPA per dropback. They’re seventh in the league in interceptions per attempt. It could be a long night on a short week for Winston and this Browns offense.
Pittsburgh is currently a four-point favorite, with the total sitting at a paltry 36.
PFN Prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 10