How can the Cleveland Browns make the 2021 NFL playoffs?

The Cleveland Browns took on the Green Bay Packers in an ever-important Christmas game last night. Unfortunately, the Browns would lose on an interception throw by Baker Mayfield. However, there is some controversy as to a an apparent missed pass interference call that led to the interception.

Regardless, the Browns have fallen to a 7-8 record and have further plummeted down a stacked AFC playoff chase that is as close as ever. Now that there are only two games left for the Browns, how can they make the playoffs?

Can the Cleveland Browns make the playoffs?

Cleveland Browns v Green Bay Packers

The Cleveland Browns needed to win last night to give themselves the best shot at making the playoffs. Simply put, a 10-7 record is what was going to be needed for the Browns to truly have a hopeful shot at the playoffs, but with their loss to the Packers, the best record the Browns can achieve now is 9-8.

The Browns must now win their last two games to even be considered for a playoff berth. Their final two games are against division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Both will be tough contests, especially considering the Bengals want to clinch the AFC North crown.

The Ravens and Bengals, who were both 8-6 heading into Sunday, would need to lose their last three games to give the Browns a shot at winning the division title, which is impossible because the two teams were scheduled to play each other in Week 16. The Bengals went on to win that, which now sees them hold a 9-6 record atop the AFC North.

There is a glimmer of hope, however, should the Browns, Ravens and Bengals finish with an identical 9-8 record, then Cleveland would finish as winners of the AFC North, as they hold the tie-breaker over Baltimore and Cincinnati in terms of win-lost-tied percentages between the three teams. The Browns are 3-1 in those games, while the Bengals are 2-2, following their loss yesterday, the Ravens are now 1-3.

With the Browns' loss on Christmas Day, they now find themselves in the 13th seed. That means they are in last place in terms of teams chasing a wildcard spot. Though it will be hard to come back and clinch a playoff spot, crazier things have happened in this league.

From Week 17 onwards the Browns would also need their fellow conference rivals the Broncos, Dolphins and Raiders, to lose all their remaining games as well in order to have a clear shot at making the playoffs. Statistically speaking, the odds of things playing out this way are not very likely.

At this point, all the Browns can do on their end is to make sure they win their final two games and hope all the AFC teams around them lose all their remaining games. Good luck Cleveland, you're going to need it.

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