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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jacob Roach

Browns to rest starters vs. Bengals after Ravens clinch AFC North crown

The AFC North championship dreams of the Cleveland Browns were ended on Sunday after the Baltimore Ravens blew out the Miami Dolphins. That means that Cleveland is locked into the fifth seed in the AFC and will be on the road for the Wild Card round.

Before the Ravens win earlier in the day, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that with a Ravens win Cleveland would likely rest starters against the Bengals. This makes a ton of sense especially when you think of how many injured players are on Cleveland’s roster.

With Amari Cooper missing the game against the New York Jets the team can now give him more time off so that he is 100% for the postseason. Joel Bitonio has been battling a back injury and Juan Thornhill has a calf, all of these players can now get healthier for the playoff run. With nothing to gain in Cincinnati, the Browns will focus on getting right for a playoff run.

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