The odds have never been steeper.

Browns players know that, and its a major reason why theyre not really dwelling on it heading into their home finale Sunday against the AFC North champion Ravens.

Regardless, the motivation to play at their top level -- kind of like how they did months ago against the same Ravens -- trumps anything involving the postseason.

We have to have a lot of help, but we are playing to get better, Browns QB Baker Mayfield said. We have to. We are playing to finish this thing out the right way and the way the people that have worked so long for this season it has been a long grueling season but people around here deserve for us to finish the right way.

What needs to happen for the Browns to make the playoffs? Its pretty simple, but its also a lot.

On top of winning out, the Browns need the Steelers (at Jets, at Ravens) and Titans (vs. Saints, at Texans) to lose their final two games. Additionally, the Colts (vs. Panthers, at Jaguars) need to win their final two games. That would set up a four-way tie at 8-8 that would favor the Browns. A three-way tie without the Colts would not.

The Browns are most focused on the first part of that equation, knowing a loss Sunday puts an end to to their hopes before they even have a chance to check the scores from around the league.

For now, we are focused on Baltimore, WR Odell Beckham Jr. said. There is still an opportunity there as crazy as it is. A lot of things have to happen, we have to rely on X, Y and Z, but the only thing we can focus on is beating Baltimore and worry about whatever happens after.

-- The Browns were without offensive linemen JC Tretter and Kendall Lamm during Wednesdays practice. Both players are dealing with knee injuries.

DT Sheldon Richardson (back) was also sidelined.

Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said Lamms injury is different than the one that kept him out for the first half of the season. Tretter, meanwhile, has missed a number of practices over the past couple of weeks but hasnt missed any snaps in games.

DE Olivier Vernon, who has missed five of the past six games with a knee injury, was limited Wednesday.

I think he is close. I do not know if he will get there or not, Kitchens said. We will see at the end of the week.

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hanging on to slim playoff hopes but remain motivated to 'finish the right way' - News & Notes - clevelandbrowns.com