Don't look now, but the Cleveland Browns, yes, the Cleveland Browns, are tied for first in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both are 6-3 after the Browns' 24-3 dismantling of the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.
If the season ended today, the Browns would be a wild-card playoff team. Let that sink in a moment.
The Steelers can regain the division lead Sunday with a victory over the New York Jets, but for the next two-plus days, the Browns will have a share of the lead.
The Bengals have fallen to third place at 5-3-1, while the Ravens remain in last at 5-4.
Who would have thought that the Browns, AFC North doormats for years, would be in first place after more than half the season has been played? Especially with a first-year head coach in former Ravens assistant Mike Pettine?
The Browns will play the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 28. And for the first time in years the regular-season finale might actually mean something for the Browns.