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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Fans in Cleveland were probably reduced to tears after their beloved Browns secured a spot in this year’s NFL Playoffs in Week 17. Under-pressure quarterback Baker Mayfield silenced his critics as he led his team to a 24-22 win over AFC North champions, Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kevin Stefanski guided the Browns to the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2002 in just his first year as head coach. But as things stand, Stefanski will not be able to attend his team’s Wild Card Playoff against the Steelers scheduled for Sunday night.

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Cleveland Browns management hit with COVID-19 dilemma

In conversation with GMFB, NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave Browns’ fans an update regarding the unfortunate COVID-19 outbreak in their locker room.

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He said, “There’s been so much good news, so much buzz about the Browns first playoff berth in almost two decades and the reality unfortunately hidden yesterday afternoon when the browns and the NFL announced that several members of the organisation, several key members of the organisation, including coach Kevin Stefanski, had been declared out for this game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to COVID-19.”

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“Their facility was closed yesterday. Likely closed today although we have not received official word….Alex Van Pelt the offensive coordinator, he is going to call plays,” Rapoport said earlier today.

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The Browns ended the season with a 9-4 record. They will go up against Mike Tomlin’s Steelers who started the season with an 11-0 run. Baker Mayfield and Co. will play either Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills or Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Playoffs if they beat the Steelers.

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This could be a blessing in disguise for the Browns. If OC Alex Van Pelt can channel some motivation for his players from this unfortunate predicament, we’ll have one hell of a game on our hands this Sunday. Make sure you tune in.

ALSO READ – Former NFL Man backs Lamar Jackson-led Ravens for Deep Playoff Run

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Daniel Arambur

2,075 Articles

Daniel Arambur is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing close to a decade of experience across sports media, digital strategy, and editorial operations. He covers trade rumors, game-day matchups, and long-form NBA features, with a particular knack for spotlighting underdog narratives and momentum-shifting storylines. A journalism graduate with a postgraduate certificate in Strategic Marketing and Communications from Conestoga College, Ontario, Daniel blends statistical context with sharp, opinion-led analysis. His professional journey spans content strategy, paid media, editorial oversight, and quality analysis, giving him a rare end-to-end understanding of how sports stories are researched, positioned, and delivered at scale. Over the years, he has worked across SEO-driven publishing, audience growth initiatives, and performance-focused editorial environments, sharpening his ability to balance speed with accuracy and depth. At EssentiallySports, Daniel applies this multifaceted background to NBA coverage that is informed, structured, and reader-centric. Known for his analytical clarity and narrative instinct, he approaches the league with a storyteller’s eye and a strategist’s discipline, consistently aiming to add perspective beyond the box score. Based in Ontario, a city once home to NBA champion Jamal Murray, he harbors a long-term ambition to sit down for an exclusive conversation with the hometown star.

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