The Browns entered this weekend with eight different scenarios to clinch the playoffs. Thanks to Tyler Bass’ 29-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the Bills’ 24-22 win over the Chargers Saturday night, they enter Sunday with none remaining.
The Bills’ victory combined with the Steelers’ 34-11 win over the Bengals means the Browns (9-5) will have to wait a little longer to officially mark their return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, even if they beat the Texans at NRG Stadium.
All eight scenarios involved the Browns beating the Texans, but had they done that, seven of the eight scenarios involved either a Steelers loss or tie.
Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati with ease on Saturday, led by quarterback Mason Rudolph’s 290 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver George Pickens, who had four catches for 195 yards.
The one playoff-clinching scenario involving a Steelers win also included a Bills loss to the Easton Stick-led Chargers. Los Angeles made it interesting, taking a 22-21 lead with 5:26 remaining on a 53-yard Cameron Dicker field goal, but the Bills marched down the field for the go-ahead score and then stopped a Chargers last-ditch lateral play to hang on.
The win moved the Bills (9-6) into the No. 6 spot, directly behind the Browns in the wild card standings. They are 1 1/2 games behind the Dolphins in the AFC East. Miami hosts Dallas on Sunday.
Pittsburgh (8-7) is tied with Cincinnati but a spot ahead of them in the standings due to tiebreakers. They are ninth and tenth, respectively, in the wild card standings, half a game behind Indianapolis (8-6) and Houston (8-6). The Colts currently hold the tiebreaker over the Texans for the seventh and final playoff spot and play at Atlanta on Sunday.
Both the Steelers and Bengals are eliminated from the AFC North race.
While they can’t clinch the playoffs, a Browns win would set up more realistic clinching scenarios for them in Week 17, beginning Thursday night when they host the Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium. They are also still alive in the division race if the Ravens (11-3) stumble over their final three games, beginning Monday night in San Francisco. They host Miami in Week 17 and Pittsburgh in Week 18.
The Browns end their season in Cincinnati in Week 18.
