The Baltimore Ravens swiftly defeated the San Francisco 49ers, denting the Cleveland Browns’ aspirations for a division title and top conference seed. However, amidst the resurgence of Joe Flacco and the unexpected contention of the Browns, a compelling storyline emerges with a championship at stake. This unusual season still holds promise for Cleveland.
Bryan Knowles outlined a detailed analysis showcasing how the Browns could rise to the top spot in the league. Among the 32 potential scenarios involving the Ravens, Dolphins, and Browns – the current top three teams by record – there exists a single outcome where the Browns secure a bye during Wild Card weekend.
For this outcome to materialize, Cleveland must triumph in all their remaining games, while the Ravens need to falter against the Dolphins and Steelers. Although the Ravens might seem heavily favored against Pittsburgh, the unpredictability of an AFC North clash leaves room for surprises.
In this scenario, the Browns would clinch the AFC North division title due to their superior division record. Miami’s victory against the Ravens, followed by a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18, becomes crucial. If Buffalo loses to the Patriots in Week 17, their match against the Dolphins in the final week becomes a crucial battle for playoff contention. The division rivalry between Miami and Buffalo adds an element of uncertainty, where anything can happen, potentially affecting Miami’s conference record.
These series of events would propel the Browns to a week of rest and grant them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Cleveland boasts an impressive home record of 7-1, the solitary setback being attributed to Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s unexpected emergency debut in the closing minutes of a game.
