Browns could be out a key defender for a playoff game

The Cleveland Browns will be without one of their best defensive players for 10 days.

With Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward testing positive for COVID-19, he must be held out for the next 10 days.

While Browns will be without Ward in their regular-season finale vs. the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a chance Ward could be out of Cleveland’s first playoff game in 18 years. If Cleveland defeats the Steelers at home, the Browns will qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. If that is the case, then Ward will not play again until maybe the AFC Divisional Round.

Will the Browns be able to beat Pittsburgh in Week 17?

Cleveland needs a win to get into the playoffs. While we all thought the Browns were going to make the seven-team field out of the AFC a few weeks ago, but Cleveland went out and lost to the New York Jets, so here we are. The Browns may be able to beat anyone on their best day, but they just showed us how bad it can get when the bottom falls out. So will they beat the Steelers or not?

Because the Steelers clinched the AFC North last week with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, their playoff seeding is set and will be resting starters. The question is if Browns starter Baker Mayfield can beat Steelers backup Mason Rudolph at home in the biggest game of his life. If he can, Cleveland gets in. If not, not having Ward available for Wild Card Weekend does not matter.

All we know is the Browns will be up against it yet again due to COVID for a second straight week.