Browns Can Clinch Playoff Spot with Win Over Steelers, Won’t Be Eliminated with Loss

The Cleveland Browns can clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002 with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

In addition to defeating the Steelers, the Browns have seven other scenarios to quality for the postseason.

While the simplest path for Cleveland would be to defeat Pittsburgh, they can also clinch a playoff berth with an Indianapolis Colts loss to the 1-14 Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Browns can also lose and still qualify with a Tennessee Titans loss, a Miami Dolphins win or tie and a Baltimore Ravens win or tie.

If the Browns and Steelers were to tie their Week 17, Cleveland would also clinch a postseason appearance with a Baltimore, Miami or Tennessee loss. An Indianapolis tie with Jacksonville would also suffice.

Lastly, the Browns can tie and still get it if the Titans also tie, and the Ravens and Dolphins win their respective matchups.

Cleveland is coming off an upset loss at the hands of the now two-win New York Jets, while the Steelers are riding high following their comeback win over Indianapolis, which clinched them the AFC North and snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Steelers crushed the Browns in their previous meeting back in Week 6, winning handedly at Heinz Field 38-7.