How Steelers’ Thursday Night Loss Affected Browns' Playoff Odds

The Browns’ playoff chances received a bump after their AFC North rival suffered their second-straight loss

Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

After seeing their playoff odds dip following their loss to the Rams in Week 13, the Browns’ odds have already begun to climb again following the result of the Patriots-Steelers matchup Thursday night.

The Steelers’ 21-18 loss to the Patriots propelled the Browns two spots ahead in the AFC playoff picture, advancing them to the No. 5 seed after beginning the week at No. 7. It also elevated their playoff odds to -215, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, after they began the week with -165 odds.

That brings their chances of clinching a playoff berth to 68.3 percent.

After their Thursday night loss, the Steelers regressed to the No. 8 seed in the AFC, one spot short of the playoffs, and have watched some of their early season luck disappear with three losses in their last four games.

The Browns need to avoid succumbing to a similar fate in Week 14 — a loss to the Jaguars on Sunday would be their third-straight defeat and knock their playoff chances down to 53 percent, according to The New York Times’ playoff odds simulator.

But a win would provide a gargantuan boost and lift those chances up to 84 percent.

The Browns are narrow favorites to beat the Jaguars as of Friday morning and started the day as three-point favorites. That could change, however, if the Jaguars deem quarterback Trevor Lawrence fit to play Sunday, six days after he suffered a right ankle injury in a Monday night loss to the Bengals.

Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of Jacksonville’s QB situation, the playing field could be evened by the weather — AccuWeather is calling for a 79 percent chance of rain Sunday with 28 mph wind gusts.

The Browns will take every good break they can find, and they’ve already received one Thursday after watching their AFC North rival take their second consecutive loss.