Buffalo Bills fans are keeping their eyes on two games this weekend. If the Bills win against the Miami Dolphins, they clinch the two seed. If the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo would also clinch the second seed. If Buffalo loses and Pittsburgh wins, the Steelers take over the two seed.
The Browns are in the middle of a COVID-19 mess as they try to secure their first playoff berth in 17 seasons. Six starters, including the majority of their back-seven defenders, are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and at least three of them have tested positive, meaning they won’t be able to be activated before Sunday. It’s unclear if any of the rest will be able to play this weekend or in the Wild Card round, should Cleveland make it.
CB Denzel Ward, LB Malcolm Smith, and TE Harrison Bryant are the ones who reportedly tested positive. Joining them on the COVID list are safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo along with linebacker B.J. Goodson.
Cleveland reopened their facility on Friday after receiving no new positive results from Thursday’s testing. It had been closed for two days.
On the other side of the game, the Steelers have already announced several starters will be sitting on Sunday including QB Ben Roethlisberger. Pass rusher T.J. Watt, center Maurkice Pouncey, and defensive end Cam Heyward will also sit Sunday and more rest could be on the way for other players on the team as well.