4 teams who could stand in the way of Colts’ playoff hopes
Browns could prevent Colts from making playoffs
After 14 weeks of this NFL season, it still isn’t quite clear what can be expected from the Cleveland Browns. One week everything is falling apart and folks are left asking if Baker Mayfield is the right man for the job, the next, he’s making big plays and the team is winning games many thought they would lose.
All in all, the Browns are 7-6 and the first team out of the playoff picture. With a strong finish, the franchise that has struggled the last two decades may be making back-to-back postseason appearances.
Cleveland’s remaining four games are against the Raiders, Packers, Steelers, and Bengals. Aside from the Green Bay game, the Browns have about a 50/50 chance in each matchup.
The Browns, Raiders, Steelers, and Bengals are all in the grouping of teams with six or seven losses that are right outside the playoffs. That means Cleveland can improve its record while also hurting the competition’s playoff chances.
That will also set the Browns up for a close finish with the Colts. They currently have the same record but Indianapolis has the tiebreaker due to both teams’ AFC record, Indy 6-3 and Cleveland 4-5. The Browns are still in position to catch them in overall record and claim a playoff spot leaving Indy on the outside.
While these four teams all have a path that could challenge Indianapolis for its playoff spot, the team Indy must worry about the most is itself. The Colts are already in playoff positioning, and as long as they win they will stay there. While their remaining schedule is tough, winning out is the surest way of securing a playoff spot.
