Browns on verge of ending long playoff drought
The Cleveland Browns’ lengthy playoff drought is nearly over.
The Browns, who have reached 10 wins for the first time since 2007, can clinch their first playoff spot since 2002 with a victory Sunday at the New York Jets and a loss by any of the following teams: the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins or Indianapolis Colts.
And the Browns are only one game behind Pittsburgh for first place in the AFC North and host the rival Steelers in Week 17.
The Steelers, who have dropped three in a row after an 11- 0 start, need either a win over the Colts on Sunday or a Browns loss to wrap up the AFC North title.
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win or a loss by either the Steelers or Buffalo Bills.
The Tennessee Titans, on the cusp of ending a long division drought, can wrap up their first AFC South title since 2008 with a win over the Green Bay Packers and a Colts loss. The Titans will make the playoffs with a win or a loss by either the Dolphins or Ravens.
And the Colts can reach the playoffs with a win and losses by either the Dolphins or Ravens.
BROWNS PLACE OL HUBBARD ON INJURED RESERVE >> Browns offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a serious knee injury in Sunday night’s win over the New York Giants.
Hubbard is expected to undergo surgery at some point this week.
LEAGUE REPORTS 14 PLAYERS POSITIVE IN LATEST TESTING >> The NFL said Tuesday that there were 14 confirmed positives among players and 31 new confirmed positives among other personnel in the league’s latest round of testing for the novel coronavirus.
In all, 16,222 COVID-19 tests were administered over a seven- day period ending last Saturday to 2,391 players, and 25,279 tests were administered to 4,536 personnel.
That brings the totals since testing began Aug. 1 to 201 players and 359 other personnel as confirmed positive cases out of more than 840,000 tests.
HASKINS APOLOGIZES AFTER PHOTOS SHOW MASKLESS PARTYING >> Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins publicly apologized after photo evidence came to light of him partying with several people unmasked after playing Sunday.
Haskins said on Twitter he spoke with coach Ron Rivera and took full responsibility for putting the team at risk during the pandemic.
“It was irresponsible and immature of me and I accept responsibility for my action,” Haskins said. “I also want to apologize for creating a distraction for my team during our playoff push.”
There was no immediate word whether Haskins would be fined or suspended for violating COVID-19 protocols.
Haskins started Sunday for the first time since early October.
BENGALS RIDE BIG FIRST HALF TO SHOCKING WIN >> Giovani Bernard scored two first-half touchdowns after turnovers, and the Cincinnati Bengals held on to stun the badly slumping Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 on Monday night.
The Bengals (3-10-1) led 17- 0 at halftime and survived a rally by the Steelers, who lost their third straight after 11 consecutive wins to start the season.
RAMS ROOKIE RB AKERS OUT VS. SEAHAWKS >> Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Cam Akers will not play in his team’s pivotal road game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that a highankle sprain will sideline Akers, who sustained the injury in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the New York Jets.