Are Cleveland Browns In AFC North Driver's Seat?

With the division starting to take shape after six weeks, the Browns are not only within striking distance of first place, they might just be the team to beat.

The first six weeks of the season have been a roller coaster for the Cleveland Browns.

Despite the high peaks and low valleys at the beginning of the year (devastating injuries, costly turnovers, bad losses, combined with clutch performances and huge wins), there is reason for optimism regarding this team.

Believe it or not, if the ball bounces the right way on Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will be in first place in the AFC North. Here is what has to happen:

1. Browns beat the Colts
2. Lions beat the Ravens
3. Rams beat the Steelers

This is not to say that any of these outcomes are a guarantee, but there is a world where all three of the dominoes fall the right way this weekend. If you were to say in August that the Browns would face the adversity they have and would have a chance to be in first at Week 7, I'd sign up for that every time.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Zach Carter (95) stumbles as he chases Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) out of the pocket in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. The Browns led 10-0 at halftime :: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals get a much-needed bye week this weekend. Kudos to Cincinnati for making their way to 3-3 on the season. Their season was on the verge of slipping away before it ever really got rolling, but they have clawed back to within striking distance of the division.

They better enjoy the bye week because there is no mercy for them on the other side. After the off week, they head to northern California to match up with the San Francisco 49ers before coming home for a date with the Buffalo Bills. It is a pivotal two-week stretch for the Bengals that could loom large towards the end of the year.

For the Browns, this is a part of the year that they can get hot. They will have a chance in every single game they play, regardless of opponent, with the way they're playing defense. Cleveland has the 7th easiest schedule remaining, while the Bengals and Ravens have the two hardest remaining schedules of any team in the NFL the rest of the year.

Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and safety Grant Delpit (22) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) celebrate after sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (not pictured) during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to be a team of consequence, you start a winning streak in Week 7 by taking care of a battered Colts team. From there, take this season one week at a time and the Browns will be in the conversation come January.