NFL Playoffs: Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions To Clinch Spots?

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CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Browns challenged a Chicago Bears team that played like it still had a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. The Browns looked dazed and confused on offense multiple times as Quarterback Joe Flacco threw three interceptions, which resulted in 14 points for the Bears. Once down 17-7 and looking like the Browns would lose yet again, hope emerged late in the fourth quarter.

Browns fans once associated Flacco with the diabolical word nemesis. The former Ravens star quarterback wore a new uniform for the first time two weeks ago. Wearing the jersey of his former rival must’ve seemed like an odd experience. Now Browns fans call him the savior. Flacco still threw for over 300 yards despite the relentless pass rush of former Washington Commanders Defensive End Montez Sweat. Flacco threw for 363 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Browns managed to tie it up. Then on Cleveland’s last possession, Kicker Dustin Hopkins would perform his familiar task, kick a game-winning field goal. With under 40 seconds in the game, he nailed a short field goal which seemed like the inevitable nail in the coffin.

However, there was still a slight chance for the Bears to claw back into the game and steal a win on the road. On the last play of the game, Quarterback Justin Fields threw what was almost a game-winning touchdown. His pass has the perfect length and looked a sure game-winner. However, what was almost a last-second Chicago touchdown turned into an unexpected deflection and a mere second later, a game-winning interception for the Browns defense.

Now at 9-5, the Browns look like a sure playoff lock. With a relatively favorable remaining schedule against the Houston Texans, New York Jets (Thursday Night Football) and the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, an eleven or twelve-win finish is a strong possibility. The Bengals despite losing Quarterback Joe Burrow are 8-6 and close to a playoff spot as well. The final finish to the season will certainly be the test both teams of Ohio need before the gauntlet begins.

Despite season-ending injuries to the Browns to important players like right tackle Jack Conklin, Running Back Nick Chubb, and Quarterback DeShaun Watson among several players with season-ending injuries, the Browns endured the losses and became stronger for it. With one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and more than three players lost to the season-ending injuries, the Browns thrived rather than survived. Some NFL fans will point to four controversial endings before giving this team the credit it deserves. However, whether or not it’s right to take that into account, it’s important to still give credit where it’s due. It’s objective to look at that and claim the Browns could have four fewer wins than the 9-5 record. Yes, with the controversial no-calls overturned, the Browns could just as easily be 5-9 with four very close losses.

Throughout the Browns’ history, the team was on the wrong end of such controversy. The infamous “bottle gate” incident was possibly one of those endings that derailed a playoff spot.

In the NFC, Detroit’s win over the Denver Broncos puts the team in position to make the postseason. If the Lions win the next game, Detroit will automatically take the NFC North crown. Detroit takes on second place team in the division, the Minnesota Vikings next. There will be two showdowns between these teams in the final three games. Should Minnesota win next week, the Lions will still have a golden chance to win the North with a win over Dallas or against the Vikings in the season finale.

It seems like an odd scenario to see both teams in the playoffs. But we’re nearly there.