Former Browns’ coach Marty Schottenheimer used to say no regular season game is critical unless you are eliminated from post-season consideration by losing.
On face value, that may be true, but even though the Browns wouldn’t be out of the playoff race mathematically by losing to the Steelers this Sunday afternoon, they would be waiting for someone to drive the nails into their coffins at any time.
A loss would drop Cleveland to 5-7 on the year and their only chance for a playoff spot would be to win out and hope. It would drop them two full games behind the Steelers, who currently hold the 6th (and last) seed in the AFC.
On the other hand, a win would vault Freddie Kitchens’ ahead of Pittsburgh by virtue of the tie-breaker, having won both meetings between the two teams.
Also, the two of the other teams at 6-5 are playing each other as Indianapolis plays Tennessee. Since the Browns lost the opener to the Titans, fans of the brown and orange should be rooting for the Colts in that one.
The other team at 6-5, Oakland, takes on Kansas City, which will be a difficult game for Jon Gruden’s team to win.
So, when this week’s action is over in the NFL, there could be a logjam at 6-6 in the AFC, a game behind the winner of the Titans/Colts clash for the last playoff spot.
We know the Browns do not have a particularly tough remaining slate, with two games vs. Cincinnati and a contest with the 3-7-1 Arizona Cardinals remaining. But you have to figure the Bengals will be a desperate team trying to avoid 0-16, and the Cardinals’ game is on the road.
Kitchens’ squad should have learned by now not to take anyone lightly.
And of course, there is the rematch against the red hot Baltimore Ravens.
As for the other contenders, Oakland follows up the game with the Chiefs by taking on the Titans, and if both teams come into that game at 6-6, that would basically be an elimination game for the loser.
The Colts toughest remaining foe is New Orleans, who will be fighting for a first round playoff bye. That game is in the Big Easy too.
Tennessee has the most brutal schedule down the stretch with two games against the division leading Houston Texans, as well as the aforementioned contests against the Colts and Raiders. The other remaining date left is a game at home vs. New Orleans.
Based on this, that early season loss to the Titans may not be a big factor for the Browns.
Pittsburgh also has to play Arizona and Baltimore, and they have a game against the 8-3 Buffalo Bills (who the Browns already defeated) as well.
So, there is definitely a path for the Browns to get to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. However, we did forget one thing. They need to keep winning. We still believe 9-7 will get them in, so they could afford one loss, and the way the Ravens are playing, that might be it.
The Browns have to keep taking care of business. And it starts Sunday against the bitter rival Steelers.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 