Browns amazingly not in control of their own playoff destiny
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:33 am
No that's no Onion Sports headline...
So as we shake up the AFC playoff picture after today we see that the Jaguars have clinched. This leaves the last playoff spot in the AFC between two teams: Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. One thing that is so odd about the fight for this playoff spot, is that Cleveland's next game against San Francisco means nothing. They might as well chalk up a forfeit and await news about how the Titans fare against Indy next week? WHAT?! How's that possible?
Browns have the tiebreaker if Tennessee loses their last game by virtue of having a better conference record because the Browns have finished playing all their AFC opponents at 7-5 (Tennessee is 6-5, playing Indy next weekend) Now if they both win, their respective records and AFC records would be tied and Titans have an edge in games against common opponents.
Basically they way it works out is if Tennessee wins they are in, lose they are out - regardless of what Cleveland does.
So what does this mean?
-Should Browns fans blackout Cleveland's home game against San Fran? Tune into the Titans playing a less than motivated Indy squad who has already solidified their playoff positioning at #2 in the AFC? Is it Jim Sorgi time for the Colts?
-How about giving Brady Quinn some playing time? Derek Anderson looks absolutely flat against Cincy. Play the second unit and use it as a first round bye to a potential first round playoff matchup against San Diego (that is if, Tennessee loses.) Who knows, maybe Quinn coudl make something special happen - not that Cleveland would toss him into the playoff trenches should they advance.
So as we shake up the AFC playoff picture after today we see that the Jaguars have clinched. This leaves the last playoff spot in the AFC between two teams: Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. One thing that is so odd about the fight for this playoff spot, is that Cleveland's next game against San Francisco means nothing. They might as well chalk up a forfeit and await news about how the Titans fare against Indy next week? WHAT?! How's that possible?
Browns have the tiebreaker if Tennessee loses their last game by virtue of having a better conference record because the Browns have finished playing all their AFC opponents at 7-5 (Tennessee is 6-5, playing Indy next weekend) Now if they both win, their respective records and AFC records would be tied and Titans have an edge in games against common opponents.
Basically they way it works out is if Tennessee wins they are in, lose they are out - regardless of what Cleveland does.
So what does this mean?
-Should Browns fans blackout Cleveland's home game against San Fran? Tune into the Titans playing a less than motivated Indy squad who has already solidified their playoff positioning at #2 in the AFC? Is it Jim Sorgi time for the Colts?
-How about giving Brady Quinn some playing time? Derek Anderson looks absolutely flat against Cincy. Play the second unit and use it as a first round bye to a potential first round playoff matchup against San Diego (that is if, Tennessee loses.) Who knows, maybe Quinn coudl make something special happen - not that Cleveland would toss him into the playoff trenches should they advance.