Browns Playoff Chances: Tracking the Browns Playoff Picture

What Are the Browns Playoff Chances?

The Browns' playoff chances were 100% to end the regular season. Cleveland was locked into the No. 5 seed in Week 17 after beating the Jets, going 11-5. We've compiled a table showing the Browns' playoff chances compared to their Super Bowl chances, AFC Championship chances and division title chances:

For a deeper look into the Browns Super Bowl odds and history, I have a separate page detailing the team's current and historical Super Bowl odds.

Cleveland Browns Week-by-Week Playoff Chances

Cleveland Browns Schedule and Betting Lines

ESPN BET has odds at the beginning of the week before each Browns game. Here's a look at their schedule, plus the Browns' moneylines and point spread for their next matchup.

For a look at the Browns 2024 schedule, check out BetOhio.com's comprehensive breakdown. 

Are the Browns in the Playoffs? 

Cleveland clinched the No. 5 seed in Week 17, clinching a playoff game in the wild-card round. The Browns were eliminated in the first round by the Houston Texans.

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Cleveland Browns Playoff Chances: Key Offseason Updates April 2024

To keep Browns fans updated this offseason, I am tracking breaking news and developments impacting the team's playoff chances. You can find recent news below.

• 📆 Dec. 24: Cleveland completes an impressive victory over the Houston Texans. Amari Cooper made franchise history, recording a franchise-leading 265 yards despite sitting out for most of the fourth quarter. 
• 📆 Dec. 18: The Browns come back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Bears. Joe Flacco throws for 374 yards and two touchdowns to fuel the win.
• 📆 Dec. 10: The Browns defeat the Jaguars, 31-27, behind a stellar day from Joe Flacco, who became the first Browns QB this season to top 300 passing yards and throw three touchdowns in the same game.
• 📆 Dec. 3: Joe Flacco becomes the fourth QB to start for the Browns in 2023 in Week 13. The Browns lose to the Rams, but Flacco provides one of the best passing performances of the Browns' season, totaling 254 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
• 📆 Nov. 26: The Browns fall to the Broncos, 29-12, in a game where QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, WR Amari Cooper and DE Myles Garrett all suffer injuries. It's unknown how much, if any time any of the players will miss, but the Browns' playoff hopes take a hit.
• 📆 Nov. 19: The Browns defeat the Steelers, 13-10, in their first game without QB Deshaun Watson, proving they can still win against tough opponents despite not having their starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
• 📆 Nov. 15: The Browns announced that QB Deshaun Watson will require shoulder surgery, ending his 2023 season.
• 📆 Nov. 12: The Browns defeat the Ravens, 33-31, behind a perfect second-half performance from Deshaun Watson, advancing the Browns' record to 6-3 and setting up a potential path to claim the division lead in Week 11.
• 📆 Nov. 5: Watson returns for a full game for the first since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3 and throws for two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 27-0 win over the Cardinals.
• 📆 Oct. 29: The Browns fall to the Seahawks, 24-20, as Deshaun Watson misses his third game in the last four weeks due to his shoulder injury.
• 📆 Oct. 22: The Browns defeated the Colts 39-38. They played most of it without Watson, who played poorly in the first quarter and aggravated his shoulder injury, leading him to be pulled in the first quarter.
• 📆 Oct. 15: The Browns defeat the previously undefeated 49ers despite playing without Watson due to a right shoulder injury, generating one of the biggest upsets around the NFL in the regular season.
• 📆 Oct. 1: The Browns drop a divisional game to the Ravens, but QB Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the game with a shoulder injury.
• 📆 Sept. 24: The Browns beat the Titans 27-3 behind an improved game from Deshaun Watson and another dominant display from the defense.
• 📆 Sept. 18: The Browns lose to the Steelers, 26-22, and likely lose Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
• 📆 Sept. 10: The Browns defeated the Bengals, 24-3, to open the season 1-0.
• 📆 Aug. 28: The Browns waive 2022 K Cade York, who was a 2022 4th-round pick, and trade for K Dustin Hopkins from the Chargers.
• 📆 July 22: The Browns waive 2022 4th round pick, DT Perrion Winfrey.
• 📆 May 16: The Browns trade for 3-time pro bowl edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Vikings.
• 📆 May 5: S Rodney McLeod signs a 1-year deal with the Browns.
• 📆 May 2: The Browns pick up offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.'s 5th-year option, keeping him under contract through the 2024 season.
• 🗓️ April 29: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones, Missouri EDGE Isaiah McGuire, UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Northwestern CB Cameron Mitchell, Ohio State center Luke Wypler are drafted on Day 3.
• 🗓️ April 28: The Browns draft Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman and Baylor DT Siaki Ika in the 3rd round on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
• 📆 April 14: WR Marquise Goodwin signs a 1-year deal with the Browns.
• 📆 March 23: Cleveland trades for 3rd-year WR Elijah Moore.
• 📆 March 18: The Browns sign free agents TE Jordan Akins and DT Maurice Hurst.
• 📆 March 17: Cleveland signs free agent safety Juan Thornhill to help its pass defense.
• 📆 March 16: The Browns sign defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to a 4-year, $57 million contract to improve their struggling run defense.
• 📆 March 15: The Browns cut edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and starting safety John Johnson.

I will continue to update this page throughout the offseason, so be sure to bookmark it and return to see all of the latest updates regarding the Cleveland Browns' playoff chances.

Key Contributors Toward Browns Playoff Chances

With one game to go, it's abundantly clear the Browns' biggest factors to win rely on two variables — strong, if not elite performances from the defense and crisp games from QB Joe Flacco, who has +105 odds to win Comeback Player of the Year, trailing only Bills safety Damar Hamlin (-135).

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has also gained traction as a Coach of the Year candidate for navigating the Browns to a likely playoff berth despite starting four different quarterbacks this season. He has the best odds in the league to win the award at -900.

Edge rusher Myles Garrett is the nucleus of the defense's success and has -275 odds to win Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett requires immense attention from opposing offenses, which has allowed the rest of the defense to maintain its position as the most effective defense in the league.

Where Can I Bet on the Cleveland Browns to Make the Playoffs?

You can bet on the Cleveland Browns to make (or miss) the playoffs at most major Ohio sportsbook apps. Each app will features its own Cleveland Browns odds. Some will be the same; others may be slightly more competitive. It's usually a good idea to have a couple of  different accounts to ensure you are getting the best odds for a specific team or game. Bettors must be at least 21 years old and within a state with legal sports betting.

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Looking Ahead: Browns Playoff Picture

The Browns earned the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They lost to No. 4 seed Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs.

Do the Browns Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?

The Browns officially made the 2023-24 playoffs after clinching the No. 5 seed in Week 17. They are a wild-card team, meaning their first playoff game was on the road against the Houston Texans during wild-card weekend. The Browns lost that game 45-14.

Are the Browns Out of the Playoffs?

Yes, the Browns are now out of the playoffs. The Browns clinched the No. 5 seed in the playoffs but lost to the Houston Texans in the first round.

Where Do the Cleveland Browns Rank in the AFC North?

The Cleveland Browns finished second in the AFC North. Here are the final standings:

1. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
2. Cleveland Browns (11-6)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)

The Ravens won the division and claimed the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Bengals are eliminated from playoff contention, while the Steelers earned the No. 7 seed.

Where Do the Cleveland Browns Rank in the AFC Standings?

As the fifth seed entering the AFC playoff picture, the Browns had the fifth-best odds to win the AFC at +1200. They are now eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Houston Texans.

Where Do the Browns Rank in the AFC Wild Card Race?

The Browns earned the top wild-card spot, which is the fifth seed in the AFC playoff standings.

Can the Browns Get the No. 1 Seed?

No, the Browns are no longer in play for the No. 1 seed. Division rival Baltimore Ravens captured the No. 1 seed in Week 17, while the Browns claimed the No. 5 seed.

Who to Root for if You're a Cleveland Browns Fan

Browns fans should, of course, always be rooting against their AFC North divisional opponents: the Ravens, Steelers and Bengals. Outside of that, there's no other team that Cleveland fans need to root against since the team has clinched a postseason spot.

Cleveland Browns Postseason Outlook and Predictions

With the No. 5 seed clinched, the Browns were able to rest starters in Week 18 and look forward to the playoffs. They faced the Houston Texans in the first round of the playoffs and lost 45-14. Looking ahead, the Browns plan to improve their team during the offseason with hopes to return to the postseason.

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Author

Anthony Poisal

@AnthonyPoisal

Anthony is an Ohio University graduate who has covered the Cleveland Browns since 2019, starting as a freelance writer for the team website and working most recently as the team’s staff writer until 2023. He is an avid fantasy football player — as well as a golf nerd — and will keep you up to date on all Browns-related betting info this season.