So, as we are discussing the virtues of playoffs in the regular season thread, I opt to change the subject with this piece of awesome analysis I picked up yesterday. But first, the awesome in itself summary before we get into the possibly tl;dr details. With two weeks left in the season the formerly saddest of sacks, the Cleveland Browns, are still in the playoff hunt.
Admittedly, they are comparable to Ahab hunting the great white whale while floating in a lifejacket and armed with a badly chewed toothpick, but they are in fact in there. Here is what has to happen for them to make it:
First off, they obviously beat the Bengalss this week. With a current record of 6-7-1 losing is just not an option. They also, of course, have to beat the Ravens next week.
They also need the Chargers to beat the Ravens for them this week to keep the Ravens in range.
Plus they need the Giants to beat the Colts, and Washington to beat the Titans to keep them both in range also.
They need either the Jags this week or the Bills next week to knock off the Dolphins for them.
With all that the Colts and the Titans will be in range, but either of them winning in week seventeen will stay ahead of the Browns, and they play each other. So the final piece of this puzzle is them going into week seventeen with both teams playing for the final playoff spot...and playing to a tie.
Hey, it could happen.