Could The Browns Overtake Steelers, Win AFC North?

CLEVELAND — When the final seconds expired Monday, sealing the Pittsburgh Steelers' shocking loss to the Washington Football Team, a door opened for the Cleveland Browns, a door that leads to a surprise AFC North crown.

With four games left in the regular season, the Steelers have an 11-1 record; the Browns are two games back at 9-3. A two-game lead with four games left to play seemingly would be an almost insurmountable lead for the Steelers.

But the Browns have a softer remaining schedule than the Steelers. Their final four opponents have a combined record of 22-25, while the Steelers opponents are a 28-19-1.

The Browns on Sunday host the Baltimore Ravens (6-5). They then will have road games against the New York Giants (5-7) and the New York Jets (0-12) before hosting the Steelers in the season finale.

The Steelers on Sunday visit the Buffalo Bills (9-3) before traveling to Cincinnati to play the Bengals (2-9-1). They then host the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) before the showdown with the Browns.

It's not just the Browns favorable schedule that should have Steelers fans concerned. What also should be worrisome is the late-season swoons the past two seasons that have kept the Steelers out of the playoffs.

Last year, the Steelers were 8-5 even without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger before losing to the Bills, Jets and Ravens to finish 8-8. In 2018, the Steelers were 7-2-1 before dropping four of their last six games to finish 9-6-1 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

The Steelers are virtually assured of making the playoffs this year. But even with an 11-1 record, the AFC North title is not guaranteed.

In fact, the AFC North title could come down to the matchup with the Browns on the season's final day. What a treat that would be.