By Joe Hunley-Cleveland Browns Report

Yes, the Cleveland Browns are in the play-off picture. Well--let me clarify that--the Browns may have a "say-so", in who takes the AFC North Division crown.

The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, both with records of 10-4, and the tiebreaker going to the Steelers, will each face the Browns before the regular season closes.

Thursday night, the Steelers host the Carolina Panthers, and given the play of the Panthers, the Steelers should improve their record to 11 and 4. If the Ravens lose to the Browns on Sunday, Baltimore's hope  for a division title is eliminated.

If Baltimore does defeat the Browns this Sunday, they improve to 11 and 4, and clinch a playoff spot. This would send the Ravens and Steelers into their final games with both sitting at 11 and 4.

The final week will have the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals playing in Baltimore, and the Browns hosting the Steelers.

A victory by the Bengals over the Ravens will end the drama--Pittsburgh takes the AFC North crown regardless of what happens between the Browns and Steelers, as a defeat of the Steelers by the Browns would have both the Ravens and Steelers sitting at 11 and 5--with the Steelers having the tiebreaker.

With a win over the Bengals, the Ravens would end the regular season at 12 and 4, hoping that the Browns defeat the Steelers, putting the Steelers at 11 and 5.

Can the Browns play the role of "spoiler", and deny either the Ravens or Steelers the division crown.

Although the Browns have been playing some rather lack-luster football in recent weeks, they do have the ability to have an impact on who wins the division.

The story-line of the Browns this year is one of a team that has this un-canny ability to play at the level of their opponent. Wins over New Orleans, New England, and a "fight to the finish" with the N.Y. Jets, show a team that is capable of playing with anyone.

Losses to Buffalo, Cincinnati, and with what could have been a loss to Carolina (missed field goal), show a team that is capable of playing on a grand scale, while also possessing the ability to perform on a rather pathetic scale.

This season has shown a Browns team, that at times, has played with a thirst to win, been intense, with a coaching staff that has thrown everything minus the kitchen sink at their opponent.

The Browns have also taken the field resembling a team with little intensity, along with ultra-conservative coaching on the offensive side of the ball. This playing not to lose mentality reminds one of a boxer who enters the ring covering up to protect himself from punches, instead of throwing a few damaging punches to his opponent.

Can the Browns defeat the Ravens, or the Steelers.

This will depend on which Browns team, and coaching staff show up.