DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Playoff Clinching Scenario Browns

Would love to see a division title but it would be a Merry Christmas for us to clinch a playoff spot this weekend….. here they are!

Cleveland clinches playoff berth with:

CLE win + CIN loss + DEN loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + IND loss or tie OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + DEN loss or tie OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + KC win + IND win + JAX loss OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + IND loss OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + JAX loss OR
CLE win + CIN-PIT tie + BUF loss + IND win + JAX loss

From: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...arios-for-week-16-of-the-2023-nfl-season

Alright, thanks.

With 3 games to go, the Browns control their own destiny, If the Browns win out, win all 3, they will stay ahead of the Cincy/Pittsburgh winner.
for 2nd place in the division, which could end up important.

There is only one team to play this week, and that is At Houston.
Need Every Game

Don't want to look back and think, is this the one that knocked you out.
Eleven wins gets you in
Ten? not so sure, , I think.

Ravens going 1-2 looks SUPER doable. SanFran and Miami are TOUGH games.

oobs the Ravens 49ers game not an AFC issue

Idt the Dolhpins or Steeleers game will be also

Browns need to win against the Texans

Hope the Browns can win two of thier last 3 which is AFC games

Browns win Sunday it puts Houstan out

I'm most concerned about this next game for us. Houston's offense is dynamic and we aren't necessarily world beaters on the road

Agreed. The playoff scenarios are nice but let's just worry about taking care of our own business.

let's say we clinch the playoffs... do we sit Flacco?

If I recall you expressed similar last week, Go Browns.

Not for the playoffs, but if there is a regular season game left after that we should.

SUPER BOWL SCENARIO: Win em all.

I agree, but knowing and seeing the scenarios is fun. To me, that is why meaningful December & January games are so fun. Otherwise, we may as well be 5-9.

No way we beat Houston on the road. The whole season is on the line at home against the Jets. Must win!

If we lose to Cincy week 18 in the final game, if they beat the Squeelers this coming week and the Chiefs in week 17, they get in over us.

Here is a cool playoff simulator:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

The Bengals would have to sweep and the Browns lose 2 of 3 for the Bengals to be above of in the Playoff hunt due to the Bengals lousy conference record.

I don't think this is highly likely. I know we haven't been lights out, but the Bengals haven't exactly been a juggernaut. They were a late 4th Q dropped int from losing last Saturday. I see a lot of their fans & others assuming the beat the Steelers, KC and us with ease.

I am not saying it won't happen, but I just saw on ESPN is reporting that Stroud is out for the Browns Sunday.

Not many would predict the Jets beat us.

The Bengals have Chase banged up and DJ Reader, their interior DL that gives us trouble is likely out also.

Browning doesn't exactly put up big points against good Defenses. PJ Walker put up 30 points against Indy which is about what Browning did. If we can stay at least as healthy as we are, I think our D can play well against them.


Anything can happen but i like our chances.

Stroud is still having concussion symptoms. However there is still time for him to clear concussion protocol

Absolutely not. The Browns need to position themselves for the 5th WC seed (most likely scenario) so they play the AFC South division winner in the first round.

Like legendary Browns OC Todd Haley once said, "you can't live in your fears."

Line is Browns -2.5. Oddsmakers leaning that Stroud is not playing.

Yeah. I think it opened at Houston-1.5.

Flacco needs reps. He's already sat on the couch long enough. With the lack of run game. Need to have as many game reps we can get with the receivers.

Exactly. That's the same kind of thinking that makes you lose "on purpose" to get a better draft pick. It is a loser mentality.

don't jinx it bone

Ravens losing is absolutely an AFC issue.

I agree with your overall point that nothing happens unless we take care of business, which is also the only thing that's within this team's control.

That said, I like gunning for #1 in the AFCN vs hanging onto our current spot.

I have a question... see list below.
If we were 8 and 6 where would we be on the chart below?
Anyone know how to figure that out?

AFC standings after Week 15
1) Baltimore Ravens – 11-3, first in AFC North (clinched playoff spot)

2) Miami Dolphins – 10-4, first in AFC East

3) Kansas City Chiefs – 9-5, first in AFC West

4) Jacksonville Jaguars – 8-6, first in AFC South

5) Cleveland Browns – 9-5, second in AFC North

6) Cincinnati Bengals – 8-6, third in AFC North

7) Indianapolis Colts – 8-6, second in AFC South

On the outside

8) Houston Texans – 8-6, third in AFC South

9) Buffalo Bills – 8-6, second in AFC East

Here you go. Interactive playoff machine from NYT.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/upshot/nfl-playoff-picture.html

If you're a player or a coach the whole "one game at a time" philosophy makes sense. Don't get ahead of yourself and concentrate on the job at hand. But none of us play in these games. None of us have to concentrate on the job at hand and nothing we think will make any difference or impact in the results of these games. Your point about having fun makes perfect sense. We don't have to worry about getting ahead of ourselves because we don't get paid to play the game. We simply have fun with it.

It would be absolutely BONKERS if we ended up with the #1 seed, but to start with, we need to secure a spot at the dance, and the one thing every single scenario has is common is the one and only thing we can actually take care of ourselves and that is CLE needs to WIN.

If we take care of Houston this week, we'll be VERY well positioned whether or not everything else falls our way to clinch this week.

If we beat Houston and Baltimore loses to SF .. look out

If we beat HOU, Baltimore loses to SF, Cowboys beat MIA, and the Raiders take down KC, it's GAME ON.

We have to hop on one foot while patting our head, and rubbing our bellies as well to get in this week.

I can do that!

If we clinch and Ravens win, then yes. If Ravens lose, then no since division would still be in play.

We should also probably rest Garrett and any other dinged up players.

Interesting note: Absolutely none of the scenarios that allow us to clinch this week align well with the scenarios that allow us to get the #1 Seed.

All that matters for today, however, is that it doesn't matter who loses tonight, or even if they tie. We can just cheer for whichever outcome we each want and none of us will be wrong.

Unless the O has somehow magically cured their turnover issues or turned themselves into a scoring powerhouse, I don't see how you sit them. They need all the time they can to continue forming together.

Good point about resting up the defense, if possible.

If we end up tied with the Ravens, would we own the tiebreaker?

Just a tough situation, I agree the offensive line needs time together to gel

Talent wise, can they ?

Last game, after the third sack on Flacco, I started thinking if it wouldn't be a bad idea to let DTR play a series or two.

Sweat was just tearing it up and I was worried Flacco may get hurt and not be able to play a game or two

Thought maybe DTR having faster legs might change up the run game and help move the ball on the ground a bit more

Flacco is 38, maybe a game to rest might be a good thing to move into the Play-Off run

Resting up the D would be nice, but who the heck can they rest ?

Having that week 5 bye , just didn't help with the long streak that followed

The Browns beat Houstan in Houstan last year with a QB who hadn't played in awhile

Maybe, just maybe If Flacco starts and the Browns get ahead early

They can slowly start bringing in some players who can still help the Browns win as others get a rest

I want to see the Browns win out, keep the winning going into the play-offs

A loss at this time of the season can bring some doubtful thinking

And that's not the thinking the team needs

Keep playing with heart and confidence and play like you will win !

With DTR, I don't think his legs can really help him until teams have to fear his arm. IMO, he's also not built enough to handle a significant amount of carries.

I agree if this team can beat the Texans and Jets. Clinch a playoff spot but does not have a shot at the division we need to get healthier. Flacco, Garrett, Tomlinson, JOK, Ward, Cooper, Bitonio, Njoku, and a few other need to sit vs the Bengals. It does not matter who we play they must be healthier than they are now in the playoff game.

If we win out and the Ravens end at 12-5 also, as long as one of the remaining Ravens' losses is to the Steelers, our division record would be 4-2 and the Ravens 3-3. I am pretty sure we would win the division based on that initial tie-breaker.