Cleveland Browns

Browns may rest starters Sunday against Bengals with playoffs clinched

By WHIO Staff

Jets Browns Football Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) (Ron Schwane/AP)

By WHIO Staff

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns have clinched a playoff berth and may treat their last regular season game like a preseason game.

>>Joe Flacco throws 3 TD passes and Browns clinch unlikely spot in playoffs with 37-20 win over Jets

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he may rest some starters for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Associated Press reported.

Among the players who may rest include starting quarterback Joe Flacco.

“We’re working through all those things,” he said at Monday’s news conference. “We’ll have a plan. Obviously, we want to finish strong, so we’ll have a plan moving forward.”

Cleveland clinched their third postseason appearance since 1999 on Thursday night by defeating the New York Jets. But their hopes for winning the AFC North ended when the Baltimore Ravens beat Miami, 56-19, on Sunday.

>>Game time announced for Sunday’s game between Bengals, Browns

The Browns will be the No. 5 seed in the AFC and will prepare for a wild card-round game against the AFC South champion next weekend.

A win Sunday over the Bengals would give Cleveland 12 regular season wins for the just second time in franchise history. They went 12-4 back in 1986, according to the AP.

The Bengals host the Browns at Paycor Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The game will be televised on Channel 7.

Jets Browns Football Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) (Ron Schwane/AP)

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