Despite sitting with a record of 7-3, and despite winning five of their last six...

22.11.2023

Despite sitting with a record of 7-3, and despite winning five of their last six games, the Cleveland Browns open their Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos as 2.5-point underdogs. This is nothing new for the Browns, as they have defied the odds against the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens since Week 5 alone.

These odds undoubtedly have to do with the quarterback uncertainty the Browns continue to face. They are going to start fifth round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson again in this game after the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson. While the team signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to their practice squad this week, this move is likely a “break glass in case of emergency” move by the Browns.

Can head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns do it again and make it six of their last seven? Their chances of making the playoffs already sit above 80 percent and could see those odds skyrocket with yet another win against an AFC opponent.

Browns' playoff odds back over 80% after beating Steelers

Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) celebrate with fans after the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Hopkins kicked the game winning field goal. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob Roach

November 20, 2023 2:53 pm ET

Another week and another gutsy win by the Cleveland Browns, who got their seventh victory of the season. We continue to say the Browns can’t keep winning like this and then they just keep stacking wins. In the biggest moment, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson stepped up and led a game-winning drive to beat the Steelers, 13-10.

There is a lot that needs to be done with this offense to get it to where it needs to be by the start of the playoffs, but the defense will continue to keep the Browns in games.

According to ESPN’s FPI after beating the Steelers, Cleveland now has an 81.7% chance to make the postseason and a 24.3% chance to win the AFC North. Cleveland will certainly need to figure out the passing offense, but this team continues to battle adversity week in and week out and get the job done. A 7-3 record despite all the injuries this team has faced shows why Kevin Stefanski should be extended.

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