The Cleveland Browns must win against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday for a myriad of reasons. The Browns could break three streaks in doing so and have a sliver of hope at making the playoffs if they get an all-important win against their in-state rivals.
The Browns Could Break Three Streaks and Keep Playoffs Hope Alive
This was the season that Browns fans and many others thought would be the one to lift the team to something resembling greatness. And they weren’t entirely wrong. They had possibly their strongest draft in recent memory. Baker Mayfield, the star quarterback who is surely destined for greatness. Nick Chubb, the running back who tops the league in yards after contact. Denzel Ward, the cornerback who’s sixth in the league in coverage (the highest of any corner drafted in the last three years).
All are up for Rookie of the Year. Combine that with players like defensive end Myles Garrett and wide receiver Jarvis Landry who are consistently among the best at their positions, and Cleveland was set for a good season. Some even believed they could make the playoffs — and if things go a certain way, it’s very possible.
They’ve Already Broken Two Streaks
The overall situation for the franchise had been dire for years. They became the butt of jokes by winning only one game in two seasons. The Browns were the owner of many streaks, but none that any team would be proud of.
Cleveland’s Week Three victory against the New York Jets broke their 19-game losing streak, which dated back to Christmas Eve 2016.
Their win against the Atlanta Falcons was the Browns’ first win in the month of November since 2014. That was a streak of 13 consecutive losses in November games.
The Streaks Cleveland Will Erase If They Defeat Cincinnati
The Browns will break a seven-game losing streak, where the Bengals have outscored them 213-63. As Dawgs By Nature’s Thomas Moore recalls, Cleveland has only managed to hold Cincinnati to under 30 points once.
They will break their 25-road-game losing streak.
#Browns interim coach Gregg Williams on whether he would tell players they can avoid tying NFL record 26 consecutive road losses with a win at Cincinnati: I use everything I can (to motivate)
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) November 19, 2018
Their last road game victory was in 2015 against the Baltimore Ravens. At this moment, the Browns are only one road loss away from tying the Detroit Lions in this category.
They will win consecutive games for the first time since 2014. They won three in a row by defeating the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bengals.
They Could Stay In the Playoff Hunt
The Bengals sit just on the edge of the playoff hunt at 5-5; the Ravens hold a tiebreaker over them for the last wild-card spot. If the Browns win this Sunday, the gap will close between those two teams.
Furthermore, Cleveland will play the Ravens one more time this season. As pointed out by Dawg Pound Daily’s Dan Justik, if the Browns win this Sunday, it will close the gap on Baltimore too.
At 3-6-1, Cleveland will have to win out or lose only one more game to make the playoffs. Losing on Sunday will likely eliminate the possibility of them experiencing the postseason.
