Browns Odds to Make the NFL Playoffs Entering Week 17

The Cleveland Browns looked to be a shoe-in for the NFL playoffs before they inexplicably lost to the New York Jets in Week 16. Now, it all comes down to what happens across the league in Week 17.

The Browns head into Week 17 with a 58.0% chance to make the NFL playoffs, according to Football Outsiders. That number decreased 30.7% since last week. They draw a daunting matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, but are currently 7-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL betting odds.

All the Browns had to do to clinch a playoff spot (for the first time since 2002) was beat the 1-13 Jets.

And they didn't do it. pic.twitter.com/qxPBAhB5Pi
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) December 28, 2020

Browns Odds to Make Playoffs

Cleveland has won five out of its last seven games and seems ready to make a playoff run. The Browns' odds to make the playoffs currently sits at -450, according to FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL future odds. Odds for other AFC wild card teams include the Indianapolis Colts (-300) and the Miami Dolphins (-230).

There are a lot of ways in which the Browns can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17. Most notably, a win against the Steelers is all it takes. However, they can still make it in with a loss if the Colts lose as well. Other than those two scenarios, the Browns would need a lot of help.

All of Cleveland’s clinching scenarios: #Browns pic.twitter.com/0Wq5yJE7yP
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 28, 2020

It may sound a bit complicated, but the Browns are in control of their own destiny right now. A win and they're in. The pressure is on as Cleveland hasn't made the NFL playoffs since 2002. Is this the year they finally return to the postseason? We will have to wait and see.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.