• Standings

Cleveland Browns - Halfway Point 2014

I doubt anyone predicted the Cleveland Browns to be 5-3. And even though 4 of the last 5 games have been played against teams with poor records, it's still the NFL, and all that matters is getting the Ws. Cleveland went 4-1 over that stretch, and three of those wins could be considered lucky or fortunate.

Cleveland's two-game differential between wins and losses doesn't sound like much, but it means the Browns can play .500 the rest of the way, and at 9-7, Cleveland will be in the conversation for the playoffs.

I believe that Pittsburgh, NY Giants, and Green Bay Packers have all won Super Bowls over the past decade or so by sneaking into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and winning three road playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

Arizona won its division at 9-7 and lost a dramatic Super Bowl to the Steelers. AZ had to play three playoff games to reach the Super Bowl. Since they won the division, they hosted their first playoff game, and then played the next two on the road. They were underdogs in all three playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl.

Cleveland needs to tread water in November. Stay around one or two games above .500 overall, and then hopefully, peak or play better to end the season.

The problem is, a 9-7 record may not be good enough to make the playoffs this year in the AFC. One or more 9-7 teams may miss the playoffs. Tiebreakers may be required.

WR Josh Gordon returns later in November. Hopefully, TE Cameron is healthy soon. If those two pass catchers play well, that may loosen up defenses and allow the running game to perform like it did at the beginning of the season. If so, then Cleveland could close the season out strong and be peaking for the playoffs, assuming they make the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns Schedule with Results and records as of Nov 3:

1 Sun, Sep 7 @ Pittsburgh (6-3) - Loss 30-27

2 Sun, Sep 14 vs New Orleans (4-4) - Won 26-24

3 Sun, Sep 21 vs Baltimore (5-4) - Loss 23-21

4 BYE WEEK

5 Sun, Oct 5 @ Tennessee (2-6) - Won 29-28

6 Sun, Oct 12 vs Pittsburgh (6-3) - Won 31-10

7 Sun, Oct 19 @ Jacksonville (1-8) - Loss 24-6

8 Sun, Oct 26 vs Oakland (0-8) - Won 23-13

9 Sun, Nov 2 vs Tampa Bay (1-7) - Won 22-17

TN, Jack, Oak, and TB combined record equals 4-29, and one of those wins occurred against Cleveland.

Last half of the season includes 5 road games, three divisional games with two of those on the road, and in theory, tougher non-divisional opponents. Cleveland will face better and more experienced QBs and more teams with playoff possibilities.

In my opinion, Cleveland going 4-4 over the last half this season would be a better accomplishment than their 5-3 record through the first half.

10 Thu, Nov 6 @ Cincinnati (5-2-1)

11 Sun, Nov 16 vs Houston (4-5)

12 Sun, Nov 23 @ Atlanta (2-6)

13 Sun, Nov 30 @ Buffalo (5-3)

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14 Sun, Dec 7 vs Indianapolis (5-3)

15 Sun, Dec 14 vs Cincinnati (5-2-1)

16 Sun, Dec 21 @ Carolina (3-5)

17 Sun, Dec 28 @ Baltimore (5-4)

Among Cleveland's five victories, only one of those opponents, (Pitt 6-3), has a winning record. New Orleans is 4-4 and will probably win its division.

Over the last half of the season, the alleged softest opponent is Atlanta, currently at 2-6. Josh Gordon returns to Cleveland at that game. Indoors on turf in Atlanta. That's probably a good place to get back into the game. No weather issues.

The Browns play four more games in the month of November, and three are road games. The Browns only need to go 2-2. Even 1-3 over the next four is not a season-ender.

Cleveland needs at least to be 6-6 or 7-5 for final four games in December, which will be a tough schedule. Going 3-1 in December would be quite an accomplishment. That's why Cleveland minimally needs to play at least .500 for the rest of November.

Starting December at 7-5 means Cleveland and probably a whole bunch of other teams will be in playoff contention.

Standings

Through Sun, Nov 2. (Indy and Giants play tonight.)

AFC North is the only division where every team has a winning record. The AFC East and the AFC West each have three teams that have at least five wins.

Top records in the AFC. 11 of the 16 teams have at least 5 wins through 9 weeks.

• New England 7-2 *
• Denver 6-2 *
• Cincinnati 5-2-1 *
• Pittsburgh 6-3
• Buffalo 5-3
• Cleveland 5-3
• Indianapolis 5-3 *
• Kansas City 5-3
• Miami 5-3
• Baltimore 5-4
• San Diego 5-4
• Houston 4-5

* = divisional leader

Assuming the divisional winners will be New England, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Denver, that leaves seven teams playing for two wildcard spots. Plus, 4-5 Houston could jump into the mix, making eight teams playing for two playoff spots.

The tiebreakers could get a confusing workout at the end of the AFC season.

National Football Conference

NFC East
Philadelphia 6-2
Dallas 6-3
NY Giants 3-4
Washington 3-6

NFC North
Detroit 6-2
Green Bay 5-3
Minnesota 4-5
Chicago 3-5

NFC South
New Orleans 4-4
Carolina 3-5-1
Atlanta 2-6
Tampa Bay 1-7

NFC West
Arizona 7-1
Seattle 5-3
San Francisco 4-4
St. Louis 3-5

American Football Conference

AFC East
New England 7-2
Buffalo 5-3
Miami 5-3
NY Jets 1-8

AFC North
Cincinnati 5-2-1
Pittsburgh 6-3
Cleveland 5-3
Baltimore 5-4

AFC South
Indianapolis 5-3
Houston 4-5
Tennessee 2-6
Jacksonville 1-8

AFC West
Denver 6-2
Kansas City 5-3
San Diego 5-4
Oakland 0-8