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With three games left, one "what if" scenario is clear: If Houston beats or ties Denver on Thursday, the Browns beat the Bills on Sunday and Kansas City beats Tennessee on Sunday, the Browns clinch a wild-card spot.
The Browns (8-5) could still win the AFC North title, but they would have to win at least two of their last three games and the Steelers would have to lose all three for that to happen.
If Tennessee beats Kansas City, the Browns could not clinch a playoff spot until Dec. 23 in Cincinnati at the earliest.
"Playoffs?" Coach Romeo Crennel said at his news conference Monday, uttering the word as though the definition is unknown to him. "Playoffs? I don't know anything about playoffs.
"We play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and we have to improve in order to be ready for Buffalo. That's our focus. That's been the focus all year, to try and get ready for the next game. We're not the New England Patriots."
Jacksonville (9-4) is presently the first wild-card team. The Jaguars play the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Browns put themselves in control of their playoff situation by beating the Jets, 24-18, on Sunday in the Meadowlands. The victory gave them a one-game lead over the Titans and Bills in the wild-card chase. Earlier in the day, Tennessee lost to San Diego, 23-17, in overtime.
If the regular season were already over, the Browns would be the second wild-card team and they would play the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs.
Whether the Browns have to improve to beat the Bills is Crennel's business, but this is as clear as what the Browns must do to clinch a playoff spot: If the Bills win Sunday, the Browns could be on the outside looking in with two games left.
If Buffalo beats the Browns, both teams would be 8-6. The Bills would gain the tiebreaking edge over the Browns in a two-way tie because head-to-head is the first tiebreaker.
The Bills, 1-4 after five games, are 6-2 since. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards is 5-1 as a starter. The Bills had six touchdown passes before beating Miami, 38-17. Edwards threw four touchdown passes against the Dolphins.
"There are a lot of things we have to look at, but probably one of the biggest things is that you have two teams with similar records," Crennel said. "They are neck and neck, and both teams will be fighting for their lives. It should be one of those knock-down, drag-out kinds of games."
This could never be written during the first eight seasons, but on Sunday the Browns will have a home-field advantage. They have won five straight at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Weather could be a factor Sunday, but it would not give the Browns an advantage since, of course, the Bills play in the same conditions.
But the fans are expected to turn out in force for the 1 p.m. kickoff and be the 12th man.
The game is sold out.
"They've supported the team tremendously over the years ever since the team has come back," Crennel said. "We haven't been able to win, and now we're able to win a little bit. That's a feeling of pride for the fans."
The toughest part of the schedule was at the beginning of the season, but four of the most recent five games were on the road. The Browns managed to go 3-2 in that stretch. They close out the regular season at home against the 49ers on Dec. 30.
Game balls awarded
Running back Jamal Lewis (118 yards rushing) and right guard Ryan Tucker received game balls for their performances against the Jets. Kamerion Wimbley (six tackles, one sack) and Leon Williams (11 tackles) received game balls on defense. Mike Adams (three special teams tackles) and Joe Jurevicius (two onside kick recoveries) received game balls on special teams.
Injury update
Linebacker Antwan Peek was the only player injured in the win over the Jets, but it could be a costly one. Peek has a high ankle sprain and is out indefinitely.
