Process of Elimination - The 2024 Season In Order
Several teams will be added to the list at the conclusion of Week 14. However, today they all still have a chance, as slim as it may be.
Example: After the Browns loss last night it's impossible for them to win the AFC North. The Browns must win their final 5 games to have even the slightest chance of making the playoffs as a Wildcard. They currently have less than a 1% chance.
Now 3-9 with 5 games to play should they win out the best record they could finish with is 8-9. Steelers already have 9 wins.
They can't make it as a Wildcard over LAC or DEN. They lost head to head against both. Both already have 8 wins.
However, if the Ravens lose out and the Browns win out both teams would finish with 8 wins and the Browns would have swept the Ravens. Browns win the tiebreaker for the 7th seed over the Ravens in that scenario. They would also leapfrog the Bengals due to a better division record if the Bengals also finish with 8 wins which would be the most they could have should the Browns win out.
Miami would have to lose at least 2 of their remaining games including their Week 17 matchup with the Browns. In that case the Dolphins would finish with 8 wins but lose the head to head tiebreaker to the Browns.
All 5 of the Browns remaining games are against AFC opponents. They currently have 3 conference wins. Winning out would give the Browns 8 conference wins.
The Colts currently have a 6-7 record. They have a Bye this week. They only have 4 games remaining. They currently have 5 wins in conference. Their remaining games include 3 AFC teams. If the Colts lose 2 or more of their remaining games the Browns would win the tiebreaker based on a better conference record.
Browns will be eliminated with any of the following:
1. A Browns loss or tie.
2. A Ravens win or tie.
3. Colts winning 3 more games or at least 2 games and one tie.
4. Miami winning 4 more games finishing with 9 wins.
5. Bengals win out.
Browns remaining schedule:
@PITT, KC, @CIN, MIA, @BAL
This explains the Longshot odds for the Browns to make the playoffs.
Several other teams face similar long odds.
1. Titans <1%
2. Browns <1%
3. Panthers <1%
4. Bears <1%
5. Jets <1%
6. Saints <1%
7. Bengals <2%
8. Cowboys 4%