The Cleveland Browns could have had the division lead going into Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season. That division lead would have also had them slotted in as the fourth seed in the AFC at this point.
While it feels like all is lost, the Browns still have a simple path to the playoffs. It is not a path that would be easy nor do they control their own destiny anymore but it is a path that is possible.
A few scenarios would clinch the AFC North for Cleveland.
The team winning their last three games against Green Bay, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and having Baltimore lose just one of their games (Cincinnati, LA Rams, Pittsburgh) would give them the divisional crown.
That is the simplest path to the playoffs for the Browns but it is not the only one. It gets more complicated but the team can actually lose to the Packers on Christmas Day and still get into the playoffs.
The key for Cleveland is that they can hold a key divisional tiebreaker if they beat both the Bengals and Steelers.
For the Browns to make the playoffs after losing on Christmas, all three divisional foes could only win one more game. While that may sound unlikely, each team faces a difficult stretch of games:
CIN: Baltimore, Kansas City, Cleveland
BAL: Cincinnati, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh
PITT: Kansas City, Cleveland, Baltimore
Out of those nine games, a lot of losses could pile up especially since the teams play each other.
The simplest path to the playoffs is still winning out and getting just one loss from the Ravens but there is another path.
Getting as many players back from the reserve/COVID-19 list will help but the Browns have their work cut out for them.
