AFC playoff standings: Browns move up early in Week 10, down now only option this week

The Cleveland Browns Week 10 matchup against the Houston Texans carries significant weight for the AFC playoff standings. At the start of the season, the Browns and New England Patriots were tied for the final playoff spot, but the Patriots claimed it due to a tiebreaker, despite the Browns losing their last two games. The Patriots were in Germany, playing the Detroit Lions, while the Browns took on Houston.

During the game, both teams suffered injuries. Linebacker Aidan Hutchinson suffered a significant injury, affecting both the Patriots and the Browns. New England lost their star quarterback, Drake Maye, to an ankle injury, effectively ending their chances of winning. The Lions dominated, resulting in a 35-10 victory.

With this loss, the Patriots have dropped to a 5-5 record and are now a half-game behind the Browns, who have moved up to the seventh seed. No matter what happens in the rest of Week 10, Cleveland cannot climb any higher in the AFC playoff standings, as the top teams in the conference have two or fewer losses. If the Browns win and go 6-4, they will be a game ahead of New England.

However, if Cleveland loses, the Raiders and Ravens could tie for the seventh seed with Cleveland and New England, and the final tiebreaker will be decided after the Ravens' game on Monday Night Football. A Houston win would only secure them a game behind the final playoff spot. There are numerous "if" scenarios in Week 10, but for now, the Browns are technically the seventh seed in the AFC, with a potential spot secured with a win over Houston.