Latest update:What previous Browns mentor shares a few things practically speaking with Kevin Stefanski? – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Is Kevin Stefanski the next Marty Schottenheimer?
Probably not, given Schottenheimer’s long and successful coaching career. Or the fact Schottenheimer took the Browns to the playoffs in all four of his full seasons as head coach in Cleveland.
Cleveland can clinch a playoff berth this week, but it all starts with a win and then some help. A look at the best possible outcomes in Week 16
The Cleveland Browns, a team that has started four different quarterbacks and has possibly the priciest injured reserve list in the NFL, is on the brink of earning a playoff berth in the AFC.
We’ll pause for a moment to let that sink in.
The Browns (9-5) could clinch a spot as early as this weekend if they can beat the Houston Texans (8-6) on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Numerous combinations would leave Cleveland celebrating a return to the playoffs, according to NFL Communications
Even if all those scenarios do not come true, the Browns will still have a greater than 99 percent chance of making the playoffs if they beat the Texans, according to The New York Times playoff simulator. A loss, while disappointing, would still leave the Browns with an 81 percent chance of making the playoffs with two games left on the schedule.
That is a lot to process, so let’s run through this week’s rooting guide for Browns fans, starting with a pair of games to be played on Saturday.
The Bengals continue their annual irritating habit of making a late-season run to the playoffs, but this time they are doing it with quarterback Jake Browning running the show on offense and a defense that has given up more than 30 points four times in the past six games. That shouldn’t be a problem this week, however, as the Steelers are turning to Mason Rudolph at quarterback as they continue to realize that offensive coordinator Matt Canada was not the problem. A tie would work here, but even though the Browns hold the tiebreaker over the Bengals, hanging another loss on the Bengals can’t hurt.