See How Browns Playoff Odds Took A Precipitous Dip After Loss to Broncos

First, the good news. At 7-4, the Cleveland Browns are still very much alive in the AFC Playoff picture, holding down the six seed even after their 29-12 loss to the Denver Broncos.

No, the sky is not yet falling.

Now, some bad news. Winning the division is probably out of the question and finishing off a march to the playoffs won't be easy as it may have once seemed.

The latest iteration of the New York Times' playoff simulator – which calculates the percentage chance all 32 teams have of making the playoffs, winning its division, earning the No. 1 seed and winning the Super Bowl – forecasts a much different picture of the Browns playoff odds than it did a week ago.

Following its loss to Denver, Cleveland now sits with a 66-percent chance to make the postseason. Still solid, but a more than 20-percent drop-off from Week 12 where that figured sat just shy of 90-percent.

Additionally, their percent chance to win the AFC North is down to just a minuscule eight-percent following the defeat, while also accounting for a 20-10 win by the Ravens over the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

Back at it with the latest updates to the NYT Playoff Simulator and it's not as pretty this week. #Browns playoffs odds dropped more than 20% after yesterday. Their division odds are minuscule. Still in the picture obviously but a lot weighing on a Myles Garrett update. pic.twitter.com/jzXJpT0Pn1
— 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) November 27, 2023

A 16-10, Steelers win over Cincinnati didn't help matters either, as they now revert back to being one spot ahead of the Browns in the divisions standings due to their 3-1 record in the division versus Cleveland's 3-2 record. That tiebreaker could prove key in sorting out the division and AFC playoff standings because Pittsburgh has a chance to finish 5-1 in the North with games against the Bengals and Ravens still to come. The best the Browns can finish is 4-2 against their division foes as a Week 18 meeting with Cincinnati remains.

With all those tiebreakers in mind, the Steelers' playoff odds saw a small jump to 78-percent. Any hopes they have of winning the division are still a longer shot at 18-percent, but it's worth noting that they have the seventh easiest strength of schedule remaining, according to Tankathon. Pittsburgh very much has a path toward an AFC North title.

Week 13 Spread Reflects Rams As Heavy Favorite Over Browns

With an injury to Myles Garrett looming large and potentially a fourth different starting quarterback coming in Week 13, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Browns as they look to round out the regular season and lock up a playoff berth for the second time in four years.