The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio - Like a giant, dangling carrot, the playoffs are right in front of the Cleveland Browns.

"This is it," cornerback Corey Fuller said. "We've waited for this kind of game for four years. This is what we wanted, playing for something at the end of the year."

With a win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and some help from Oakland or Denver and Miami or the New York Jets, the Browns (8-7) can clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs for the first time since 1994.

"I like our chances," quarterback Tim Couch said.

Those chances will increase dramatically today if the Raiders beat Kansas City (8-7), one of 12 AFC teams still alive in the playoff mix.

On Sunday, Miami plays at New England, the Jets host Green Bay and Denver hosts Arizona.

But none of the complicated formulas, scenarios or possibilities will matter much if the Browns don't win their home season finale. Cleveland is just 2-5 this season at home.

"I think a win this week at home to keep us in the hunt would get a lot of fans back on our side," said Couch, a target for abusive Browns fans all season. "I don't blame them for being upset for the way we played at home. There's no excuse."

Fuller, too, wants nothing more than to get Cleveland fans excited.

"I just know what it's going to be like in this town if we can make the playoffs," he said. "When was the last time the Browns made it, '94? That's going on 10 years. It's time."

BEARS

Concussion-plagued quarterback Chris Chandler will not start for the Chicago Bears in Sunday's regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. Former CFL player Henry Burris, who replaced Chandler last week, will make his first NFL start.

JAGUARS

Quarterback Mark Brunell, who has a strained right hamstring, took a few snaps on the side at practice but his status for Sunday's game with Indianapolis is still in limbo. "It'll be a game-time decision," Brunell said.

Backup David Garrard has been practicing as if he'll start.

PACKERS

Pro Bowl free safety Darren Sharper didn't practice and remains questionable because of a sprained ligament in his right knee for Sunday's game with the New York Jets.

Sharper is expected to test the knee again today, but his status probably will be a game-day decision. If he does play Sunday, he will do so while wearing a knee brace.

TITANS

Quarterback Steve McNair missed another practice because of tightness in his lower back.

Coach Jeff Fisher expects McNair to play Sunday against Houston. In the previous four weeks, rib and toe injuries have caused McNair to sit out virtually every workout, but he has not missed a game.

RAMS

Quarterback Jamie Martin missed his second straight practice because of a bruised left knee. Coach Mike Martz said Martin should practice on Saturday today and is likely to start against the 49ers Monday night, but backup Scott Covington , who's been with the team two months and was the third-stringer before Marc Bulger injured his back last week, again took all the reps with the first-string offense.

On TV today

Philadelphia (12-3) at New York Giants (9-6) - 1:30 p.m., Ch. 19, 45

Kansas City (8-7) at Oakland (10-5) - 5 p.m., Ch. 12, 7

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