Browns don’t get much help

Playoff prospects are slim after results of Dec. 16 matchups

The Browns did what they could control this weekend to boost their AFC playoff hopes.

On Dec. 15, Cleveland went into Denver and won for the first time since the 1990 season with a 1716 victory. That put the Browns at 6-7-1.

On Dec. 16, the Browns watched and hoped for a few favors from opposing AFC teams. In that respect, it was a disappointing day.

In the Browns’ perfect world, the Colts, Titans, Dolphins and Ravens would have lost their 1

p.m. games on Dec. 16. Then in the late-afternoon game, the Steelers would have followed with another loss.

It didn’t happen, and because of it, the Browns’ playoff window is barely open. Here’s what happened:

• The race for the final wildcard playoff spot includes the Colts and Titans, who each won on Dec. 16 to improve to 8-6. The Dolphins lost to the Vikings and are a game back at 7-7. The Browns really needed the Colts and Texans to lose. More on that in a bit.

• The Ravens used their dominant running game again to pound away a 20-12 win over visiting Tampa Bay. Baltimore is 8-6 with two games to play. It is in the mix for the AFC North and a wildcard spot.

• The Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Patriots closed the door on the Browns’ hope for an unlikely AFC North title.

Pittsburgh’s record is now 8-5-1, and even if it loses out and the Browns win their final two and the teams are tied at 8-7-1, the Steelers would have the advantage in a tiebreaker. Pittsburgh tied the Browns in Week 1, then defeated Cleveland at Heinz Field.

The Ravens play at San Diego next week, then host the Browns in the regularseason finale. The Steelers play New Orleans and the Bengals in their final two games.

The race for the final AFC wild-card spot is wide open, but the Colts shutting out the Cowboys and Titans blanking the Giants hurt the Browns.

It’s simple and complex for the Browns: They need Indianapolis and Tennessee to lose their games next week, and of course Baker Mayfield and Co. must win their final two. There’s a problem for Cleveland in the final week of the regular season. The Browns need a tie when the Colts play at the Colts Dec. 30.

Here’s each team’s final two games:

• Browns: Home to Bengals, at Ravens

• Colts: Home to Giants, at Titans

• Titans: Home to Redskins, home to Colts

So it’s come down to the Browns hoping for a tie for them to have any hope. That pipe dream will not matter if the Colts or Titans win on Dec. 23.

It appears the best shot for the Browns the next two Sundays is playing the role of spoiler and taking momentum into the 2019 season. Two more wins would make Cleveland 8-7-1, which would be the franchise’s first winning season since going 10-6 in 2007.

JACK DEMPSEY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway makes a catch against the Broncos’ Bradley Roby on Dec. 15.