AFC Playoff Picture: What has to happen for Cleveland Browns to make the playoffs?

In Week 15, the AFC playoff scenario continues to take form. Even though the Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday by a score of 13-3, they are barely still in the race. That said, let's examine the postseason situation with three games remaining in the regular season.

After that victory on Saturday, the Cleveland Browns still have a slim 1% likelihood of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Losses by the New York Jets and New England Patriots provide Cleveland with some assistance. However, victories by the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars hurt the Browns as well.

It was sad news for the Browns when the Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans. The Browns would have profited significantly from a Chargers defeat because the AFC South would probably only deliver one playoff side, either the Titans or the Jaguars.

The Browns are now in fifth place and in a race for the third and final AFC Wild Card slot, trailing four other teams. The Browns must come out on top in their remaining three matches to have any chance of making the playoffs, as a loss will formally end their chances.

The Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Patriots, and New York Jets are all teams that Cleveland has lost head-to-head tiebreakers against. Hence, the Browns would need to end with a more robust record than any of these outfits to advance ahead of them.

The Browns no longer have a chance of winning the AFC North. The AFC North is now a two-horse contest between Cincinnati and Baltimore due to the Cincinnati Bengals' victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Browns can go 9-8 at best this season. If they achieve this, they will have a 4-2 divisional record and a 5-7 conference record.

Presently, the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers are in the three Wild Card places. Bear in mind that the Browns have suffered losses against the Dolphins and Chargers.

Any of the above franchises will rank ahead of the Cleveland Browns either outright or via a tiebreaker if they pick up one more victory.

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Cleveland Browns' remaining games to end the season

To have any involvement in the postseason conversation, the Cleveland Browns need to keep control of their own affairs and keep winning. The New Orleans Saints, the Washington Commanders, and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be their opponents for the rest of the season.

Although none of the Browns' final three opponents are significantly better, each will pose significant threats.