CLEVELAND, Ohio -- So we’re saying there’s even more of a chance now.
The Browns, winners of five of their last six, suddenly climbed back into the race for the AFC North crown with the Steelers’ crushing 27-17 upset by the Bengals on Monday Night Football to fall to 11-3, one game ahead of the 10-4 Browns.
The two rivals have a potentially huge meeting looming at FirstEnergy Stadium on Jan. 3.
According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the Browns chances of winning their first division crown since 1989 increased to about 24% with the Steelers’ loss, their third straight after an 11-0 start.
The Browns, who lost 38-7 in Pittsburgh Oct. 18, must win their last two games to finish 12-4 and the Steelers must lose their last two in order for the Browns to win the division. The Steelers, who blew a chance to clinch the division with a victory over the 3-10-1 Bengals, hold the tiebreaker over the Browns because of their better division record.
The Steelers host the 10-4 Colts next week, and the Browns play at the 1-13 Jets. Depending on the outcome of those games, the finale could decide the crown. The Browns can clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the Jets and a loss by the Ravens, Dolphins or Colts.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,’' coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. “We’re not a good football group right now.’'
The Steelers, who had already clinched a playoff berth, slipped to the No.3 seed in the AFC, behind the No. 1 Chiefs (13-1) and No. Bills (11-3).
To make matters worse, they lost to backup quarterback Ryan Finley, who made just his fourth career start.
The Steelers turned the ball over three times in the first half and managed just 7 first-half passing yards. They fell behind 17-0 at the half and failed to close the gap.
Roethlisberger had a chance to tie it at 24 or go ahead 25-24 on a two-minute drive at the end, but threw four straight incompletions.
The Bengals got the ball back and put a field on the board to produce the final margin.
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