Given the nature of the AFC, where only the Bengals, Chiefs and Raiders are really the only teams out of it, it will probably take a 10-6 record to make it as a wild card team this year. And that would be luck.

Here's a look at the final nine games of the season for the Browns and some predictions.

Game: Nov. 2 – vs. Baltimore (4-3)
If the Browns want to try and make a serious playoff push, this is an absolute must win. The Ravens beat the Browns 28-10 on Sept. 21 and have won the last two games in a row. They do have a rookie quarterback who is only average, but a very good defense that matches up well against the Browns. The Browns looked pretty good Sunday and above average for parts of the Washington game. Stop the run, stop the Ravens.
Prediction: Win

Game: Nov. 6 – vs. Denver (4-3)
Another team just ahead of the Browns, Denver has lost its last two games. Quarterback Jay Cutler has been pretty bad lately after a hot start and their running game isn't very good. They do have some pieces that can negate the Browns' assets (namely, cornerback Champ Bailey). Sure, the Browns will be coming in on short rest, but so will Denver. Fortunately, Cleveland plays this one at home.
Prediction: Win

Game: Nov. 17 – at Buffalo (5-2)
The Bills have been one of the better teams this season, thanks in large part to quarterback Trent Edwards. To me, this is the Browns best rivalry game outside of the division. When these two teams face each other, it's memorable. Remember last year's blizzard bowl? Or the fights in training camp scrimmages?
Prediction: Loss – Buffalo is real good

Game: Nov. 23 – vs. Houston (3-4)
Come on. Houston isn't that good. If the Browns shut down Andre Johnson, they shut down Houston.
Prediction: Win (we're at 6-5 now folks)

Game: Nov. 30 – vs. Indianapolis (3-4)
If you have watched the Colts this year, it's clear that they just don't have it this year. It's conceivable that if they lose a few more game leading up to this one, Peyton Manning could be shut down for the year. He won't admit it, but he's hurt. They can't run the ball at all, which plays right into the hands of the Browns.
Prediction: Win (this is where Browns fans really start to get excited)

Game: Dec. 7 – at Tennessee (7-0)
Oh my. Tennessee is considered to have the best defense in pro football. They'll have more than a week off to prepare for the Browns. They run the ball well, which gives the Browns problems. But! They have been very prone to give up a lot of yards to tight ends. Who has arguably the best tight ends in football? The Browns! That's right folks…
Prediction: Win!

Game: Dec. 15 – at Philadelphia (4-3)
Outside of beating Pittsburgh 15-7, Philadelphia really has no other good victories this year. They don't run the ball especially well and quarterback Donovan McNabb will probably get hurt before this game. (Oh, come on, he gets hurt like every year) Also helping the Browns: I will have a friend in Philly cheering them on (and likely getting his face beaten in). Still, that Philly defense will give Derek Anderson a lot of problems. But not enough!
Prediction: Win (we're at 9-5 now)

Game: Dec. 21 – vs. Cincinnati (0-8)
Last year, the Bengals pretty much knocked Cleveland out of the playoffs. The Browns won't let that happen again. Also, Cincinnati sucks.
Prediction: Win (10-5!)

Game: Dec. 28 – at Pittsburgh (5-2)
Nothing like a road rivalry game to end the season. The way Pittsburgh is playing, they may have already clinched the division at this point. That could mean they're resting their starters (except devilish James Harrison who seems to always be in the game).
Prediction: Win!

Wait. Wait. Wait. Last week, I said the Browns don't make the playoffs. This week, I say they're going 11-5, finishing the season a miraculous 11-2? What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here? Did Sunday's performance, which was really only good in the first half, get to me that much?

More than likely, the Browns will lose that game to Tennessee. That knocks them down to 10-6. The Steelers players their backups is a huge assumption. That knocks them down to 9-7. The Denver game is especially hard to predict because they run so hot and so cold. That could knock them down to 8-8. I don't think it will be worse than that, though.

Clearly, though, the first five games here are the most important. They're all against AFC teams right in the middle of it. And the Browns have four of them at home. Winning four games in that stretch and being 7-5 heading into the final stretch is crucial.

But what does this post really prove? That being a Browns fan is enough to drive you crazy. What do you think? Leave your prediction in the comments or just call me a big dummy.

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