Ask Mark

The Browns started from scratch four seasons ago and are in position in the last weekend of the regular season to make the playoffs.

The Browns play host to Atlanta today in Cleveland, and a Browns win and some help would put Cleveland in the playoffs.

There are several scenarios that can get the Browns in, but they all start with a Cleveland victory.

FALCONS (9-5-1) at BROWNS (8-7): Butch Davis could be the first Cleveland coach since Bill Belichick to make the playoffs. But the Browns are 2-5 at home and 6-2 on the road, and their opposition is not easy. Atlanta needs a victory or a tie - or a tie or a loss by the Saints - to get in.

The key for the Browns is to run the ball. William Green is their leading rusher with 709 yards. The Browns average 106.3 yards rushing when they win and 81 when they lose. If they can run the ball and control the clock, they can keep Falcons quarterback Michael Vick off the field. FALCONS 23-21.

VIKINGS (5-10) at LIONS (3-12): Bengals fans will be watching this one and rooting for Detroit. A Lions victory guarantees the Bengals the first overall pick in the draft. Minnesota's NFL-best rushing offense will try to run through Detroit's 18th-ranked run defense. VIKINGS 27-20.

TITANS (10-5) at TEXANS (4-11): The Titans visit Houston for the first time since the Oilers left town six years ago. Tennessee should be able to beat up on David Carr and run the ball at will. TITANS 28-14.

DOLPHINS (9-6) at PATRIOTS (8-7): Even though Ricky Williams' running ability gives warm-weather Miami some antifreeze, New England simply needs to win this game more. New England will have to win on Tom Brady's arm. PATRIOTS 23-20.

PANTHERS (6-9) at SAINTS (9-6): New Orleans needs to win and get some help to make the playoffs. The Saints' season fell apart last week with their loss to the Bengals. Good thing for New Orleans it plays at the level of its opponent - the Panthers are improving every week. SAINTS 20-16.

RAVENS (7-8) at STEELERS (9-5-1): Pittsburgh can't clinch home-field advantage but still can hope for a first-round bye with a win and a Titans loss. STEELERS 24-14.

COWBOYS (5-10) at REDSKINS (6-9): Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey has six touchdowns and no interceptions in his past three games but will be tested by a solid Cowboys defense. The problem for Dallas is its offense. Emmitt Smith needs 38 yards rushing for an NFL-record 12th consecutive 1,000-yard season. REDSKINS 21-16.

JAGUARS (6-9) at COLTS (9-6): Indianapolis made the playoffs when the Chiefs lost Saturday. Jacksonville shouldn't put up much of a fight today, with tailback Fred Taylor and quarterback Mark Brunell hurting. Indianapolis has to get its running game going. COLTS 27-17.

CARDINALS (5-10) at BRONCOS (8-7): Under-achieving Denver is still alive for a playoff spot. It should have no problem with Arizona, but the Broncos need plenty of help. Denver rookie Clinton Portis should add to his 1,280 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. BRONCOS 31-13.

PACKERS (12-3) at JETS (8-7): New York has a lot to gain. If it beats Green Bay and New England defeats Miami, the Jets are AFC East champs. The Packers have a chance for home-field edge in the NFC playoffs. PACKERS 27-26.

SEAHAWKS (6-9) at CHARGERS (8-7): San Diego needs too much help for it to have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. Only the Bengals' 12-season postseason dry spell is longer. CHARGERS 30-24.

BUCS (11-4) at BEARS (4-11): It's time for the Bucs to break their dreaded 0-21 streak when the temperature is below 40 degrees. The Champaign-Urbana Bears are happy this season is over. Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice gets to play in his alma mater's Memorial Stadium for the first time since leaving Illinois. A Tampa Bay win and Green Bay loss would give the Bucs home-field advantage. BUCS 23-15.

49ERS (10-5) at RAMS (6-9): San Francisco will rest or limit many of its regulars - including QB Jeff Garcia, WR Terrell Owens and RB Garrison Hearst. Former Bengals quarterback Scott Covington is a sore Jamie Martin knee away from getting his first NFL start. 49ERS 24-20.

LAST WEEK (not counting Dec. 28 games): 9-7.

SEASON (not counting Dec. 28 games): 151-88-1.

Curnutte's Power Rankings

This week	Last week	Record	Comment
1. Eagles	3	12-4	Good coaching + good players = good team.
2. Packers	2	12-3	Defense leads NFL with 45 takeaways.
3. Buccaneers	1	11-4	0-21 in games played in weather below 40 degrees.
4. Raiders	5	11-5	Three consecutive AFC West flags.
5. Dolphins	4	9-6	Win over Pats clinches AFC East title.
6. 49ers	8	10-5	Six Niners headed to Pro Bowl.
7. Titans	9	10-5	Win makes them No. 2 seed in AFC playoffs.
8. Steelers	11	9-5-1	Seven division titles in 11 years for Bill Cowher.
9. Giants	15	10-6	A win got them in. They thank Bengals for beating Saints.
10. Falcons	13	9-5-1	Win or tie at Cleveland puts them in playoffs.
11. Saints	6	9-6	Trying to avoid second consecutive stretch choke.
12. Colts	7	9-6	9-0 when out-rushing opponents, 0-6 when out-rushed.
13. Patriots	10	8-7	Loss knocks defending champs from playoffs.
14. Chargers	12	8-7	Loss extends playoff drought to seven years.
15. Broncos	14	8-7	Griese 27-24 since taking over for Elway in '99.
16. Chiefs	16	8-8	Vermeil renovation ahead of schedule.
17. Browns	18	8-7	AFC's best defense inside 20 - 50 trips, 18 TDs.
18. Jets	20	8-7	Curtis Martin has eight 1,000-yard seasons in row.
19. Ravens	17	7-8	Now this is how to rebuild a team.
20. Bills	19	7-8	Victory would give them five-game improvement.
21. Rams	21	6-9	We want Covington! Let Scott play quarterback Monday.
22. Jaguars	22	6-9	Could be Tom Coughlin's last game.
23. Panthers	23	6-9	0-5 against tough NFC South rivals.
24. Redskins	25	6-9	10-game losing streak vs. Cowboys.
25. Cowboys	24	5-10	Bill Parcells says, "Hello, Texas."
26. Vikings	30	5-10	One team that's better than its record.
27. Seahawks	27	6-9	Mike Holmgren's next stop is San Francisco.
28. Cardinals	26	5-10	Jake Plummer's swan song.
29. Bears	29	4-11	Good riddance, Champaign-Urbana.
30. Texans	28	4-11	David Carr deserves combat pay.
31. Lions	31	3-12	Still battling Bengals for first draft pick.
32. Bengals	32	2-13	Trying to avoid 14-loss season.

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