Browns-Steelers game offers playoff implications in Week 13

The Browns and the Steelers have the same odds to make the playoffs at the moment, and the Browns are 5-6 while the Steelers are 6-5 and have a tenuous hold on the last wildcard spot.

Today’s game will shoot the winner into much better odds to get into the playoffs. The Browns already have a win on the Steelers so that another win would put them in a tie with wins and losses, but the Browns would own the tiebreaker with two wins over the Steelers. If the Steelers can even up the series, they go two games ahead of the Browns and almost push them out of the wildcard race due to the logjam vying for one spot.

The Steelers would still be 6-6 with a loss but heading in the wrong direction, as wins are hard to come by with backups at quarterback and injuries ravaging their offensive skill players. They need every possible win, and a game at home against the Browns is still winnable, but the Browns are favored by -2 points on the road.

After this game, the Browns schedule is vs. Bengals, @Cardinals, vs. Ravens, @Bengals. They somehow beat the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 4, but they are on fire, and that will be their toughest matchup. They’ll need to win every other game to have a chance to make the playoffs if they lose to the Ravens.

The Steelers schedule goes, @Cardinals, vs. Bills, @Jets, @Ravens. For a team that is scuffling, the Bills and Ravens will be games they are likely big underdogs, and the Jets and Cardinals could be close. They will need to win every game they have a shot to at this point.

To Make the Playoffs

Browns: Yes (+260), No (-335)
Steelers: Yes (+260), No (-335)

Division winner

Browns: +3300 to win AFC North: (Ravens lead at -10000)
Steelers: +2500 to win AFC North: (Ravens lead at -10000))

AFC Champ

Browns: +4000
Steelers: +4000

Super Bowl Champ

Browns: +7000
Steelers: +8000