Jared Wickerham - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pumps up the crowd during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
There is one thing that Cleveland Browns fans have to deal with: no matter what, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth. They currently hold the No. 2 seed, which is good for a first-round bye. Right now, there is only one team in the AFC that has a chance to take the No. 2 seed instead: the Baltimore Ravens. The only way that Baltimore would be able to do that is if they win their final two games, one of which is against the Browns, and the Steelers then lose to the Browns. Either way, we'd basically be giving one AFC North team a first-round bye by default.
The bigger impact we can have is trying to keep one of those teams out of the playoffs altogether. Since the Steelers have clinched, that means the Browns can play a hand in Baltimore being ousted from postseason contention. If Baltimore wins one of their final two games (they face Cleveland and Cincinnati), they will clinch a wildcard spot. If they lose them both, then that opens Pandora's Box for either the San Diego Chargers or the Jacksonville Jaguars to sneak in instead.
So, in summary:
The odds are definitely in favor of the AFC North having two teams involved in postseason play. If you had the choice though, would you rather see Baltimore have the No. 2 seed, or Pittsburgh have the No. 2 seed, given the scenario that would have to occur over the final two weeks! Remember, that scenario involves Cleveland losing to Baltimore this week, and Pittsburgh losing to Cleveland next week (and the Ravens beating the Bengals).
For my vote, I don't care what seed Pittsburgh gets -- I'd rather the Browns finish the season with two straight division wins.
0 recs | 35 comments
You did not list the Comet, so I am abstaining.
SpecialBrownie - December 24, 2010
Abstain as well.
There’s no way I can vote for either and be able to look at my family in the eye this holiday.
Culp's Freaking Hill - December 24, 2010
Excellent! I vote for the comet.
Spidey - December 25, 2010 via mobile
From the immortal words of John Mckay…… “Three or four plane crashes and we are in the playoffs!”
champion64 - December 24, 2010
This poll is the equivalent of asking me who I would have rather seen win World War II — the Germans or the Japanese. . .
TheDriveStillHurts - December 24, 2010
Would rather beat the Steelers but almost want to lose out for draft and hoping to get gruden
Luke C - December 24, 2010
Grinch!
Spidey - December 25, 2010 via mobile
I honestly would pick Cincinnati over these two.
champion64 - December 24, 2010
To hell with the Steelers, I’d sell my soul to the Ravens then see them win another title.
Heavysoviet - December 24, 2010
Of course, I’d still prefer not to lost to the Ravens just because. I want to give those pansies the hell they deserve. This division is hard for us.
Heavysoviet - December 24, 2010
lose***
Heavysoviet - December 24, 2010
I gotta go with the steelers because I would love to win these last two games, but my heart is really with the meteor.
Go Patriots, Colts/Jags, Chargers/KC, Jets, every NFC team, and whoever else might make it to the playoffs.
rufio - December 25, 2010
If we run golan’s play we might be able to help the Steelers out a bit by sending Ray Lewis to them with some really sore ribs.
burntorangeandbrown - December 25, 2010
This is all no good.
So for Sqealers to not get the 2 seed Browns have ta lose to Ratbirds this weekend. This is all just so unsettling. I despise the Rats but I absolutely HATE the Squealers. I mean just hate ‘em. However by beating them both, then they screw up “Next Years” draft. Green and Fairley will surely be gone cause Browns will pick mid to late teens yet still wont be an 8-8 team. However Mangina (Now I know why he’s called that after praising Ray Lewis on him always backing up his words) will be gone. Lose to Rats, beat the Squeals in a blizzard. 6-10 Draft Fairley!
Thumpin96 - December 25, 2010
Flag
rufio - December 25, 2010
McCoy will be a factor on intermediate-length throws against the Ravens pass defense according to a write-up on ESPN
burntorangeandbrown - December 25, 2010
Solid article.
McCoy has always displayed accuracy on those intermediate throws.
rufio - December 25, 2010
which is something we’ve struggled with since expansion.
notthatnoise - December 25, 2010
Intermediate throws… 15 to 30 yards?
emily522 - December 26, 2010
Also, I hope our #12 turns out to be like the #12 who’s pictured next to him.
emily522 - December 26, 2010
I have even higher hopes (but then I’m sure that comes as no surprise to anyone ;)
burntorangeandbrown - December 26, 2010
Well, strictly speaking the article refers to the 11-to-20 yard range (his high accuracy and the weakness on that passing zone for the Ravens). McCoy apparently has the highest passer rating in the league for passing in that zone.
burntorangeandbrown - December 26, 2010
Yeah, I posted that before I read the article. That’s promising though.
emily522 - December 26, 2010
I want to wish everyone here at DBN a merry Christmas. Hope you are all spending time with your moms, dads, wives, and kids. It’s a time to appreciate what you have. Family conquers all.
Right now I’m hangin’ out with my behemoth dog and watching him play with his presents. When my step mom and step brother leave I’m heading up North to have dinner with my mom and sisters.
OH, my step mom got me a new razor for Xmas. It’s awesome. Kosar, my dog, completely dismantled mine last week.
Sorry, but Kosar can be the Browns mascot.
Merry Christmas and GO BROWNS!!!
Brownie's Year - December 25, 2010
Probably not good for a dog to play with your razor. How old is he?
rufio - December 25, 2010
My bad. I meant to say shaver, not razor. I don’t know if he swallowed some mechanical pieces or what, but that thing was all over the floor.
Lil’ Bernie Kosar is 20 months old. The pic does not do his size justice. Rottweiler/ Pointer.115lbs of lap dog. The best thing to ever happen to me. I love that dog.
Brownie's Year - December 25, 2010
Gah, keep him away from the children. His evil half would scare the crap outta me around young ones.
SpecialBrownie - December 25, 2010
Yeah, I know. He’s very territorial but likes kids. It’s women he doesn’t like. Not sure why. He growls and barks at ONLY adult women. He bit my ex in the face because she thought it was ok to run up and give him a kiss. Got her ear and cheek pretty good. Lol
Brownie's Year - December 26, 2010
Hardest.Poll.Ever!!!!
Kimble_79 - December 25, 2010
Eff who else makes the playoffs and how. Just win, Brownies.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - December 26, 2010
I hate the Ravens. Hate them so much. I hate the Steelers too, but I just cannot stand Ray Lewis. After reading what he said about Peyton Hillis’s big game against them earlier in the year… (and I preface this by saying I normally don’t wish harm on any player) I hope Peyton Hillis jacks Ray Lewis and shuts him up.
shep615 - December 26, 2010
Oh. And if we could spoil one team or the other, I want it to be the Ravens.
shep615 - December 26, 2010
In the tradition of the best self help books, we may want to start by adapting our behaviors annually towards what we´d like to be. A marquee club is not a spoiler, not a toiler and not a foiler, ect…Let´s make sure we can dip deep into the wishing well f***it buckitt comes around.
mooncamping - December 26, 2010
wishing well when…typo
mooncamping - December 26, 2010
My theory of voting, one is already in and 1 has a chance to be out. I would rather see someone out than both of them in. Ray Lewis is a terrible dancer so not seeing that would be good. In addition, I would like to see if James Harrison leads the league with regular season and post season fines.
SBP - December 26, 2010
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