BEREA: Browns fans need not wear themselves out rooting against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There are more pressing matters at hand.

The Browns (8-5) could clinch their first playoff berth in five years Sunday as they host the Buffalo Bills (7-6) in a game crucial to both teams' wild-card hopes.

But the Browns will know whether that possibility exists before the 1 p.m. kickoff because three things have to happen for them to wrap up a spot. The first is a Denver Broncos loss or tie at the Houston Texans on Thursday night.

Also required is a Browns victory and a Tennessee Titans loss at the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Titans falling might be the most unlikely because the Chiefs have lost six consecutive games and managed only 129 yards last weekend at Denver.

If the Bills prevail Sunday, they would gain the edge over the Browns in a two-way tie because the first tiebreaker is head-to-head.

Of course, all this means nothing to Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who is preaching the same sermon that his old boss Bill Belichick is delivering so well to the undefeated New England Patriots. On Monday, Crennel jokingly answered the playoff question.

''Playoffs? Playoffs? I don't know anything about playoffs,'' he said. ''We have to improve in order to be ready for Buffalo. That's been the focus all year, to try and get ready for the next game.

''We're not the New England Patriots. We know we can improve. Sometimes that improvement is more evident than other times. If we keep working, then we give ourselves the best chance.''

Crennel probably would not deem the Browns playoff-worthy after they escaped the Meadowlands with a 24-18 victory over the (3-10) New York Jets, with receiver Joe Jurevicius recovering two of three onside kicks in the final 2:59.

If the playoffs started today, the Browns would have the sixth seed and play in Pittsburgh on Jan. 5 or 6. But as running back Jamal Lewis observed, the postseason already has begun for the Browns. They close with the Bills, at the Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) and at home against the San Francisco 49ers (3-10).

''We are in the playoffs right now,'' Lewis said. ''We will just focus on the next win.''

Some admitted to scoreboard watching, especially when the San Diego Chargers provided major help by beating the Titans 23-17 in overtime Sunday.

''That was huge for us,'' wide receiver Braylon Edwards said. ''We're back where we could've been last week.''

That is in control of their own destiny, which took a major hit with a turnover- and penalty-plagued 27-21 loss at the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 2.

''We all know we have work to do,'' Jurevicius said. ''In the NFL, it doesn't matter how you get a win. We're learning. We're still a young team. We're doing some things to slow us down, but ultimately we're capitalizing. That's a sign we're maturing and getting a little bit better.''

During the past few weeks, Lewis' search hasn't changed.

''We still haven't played a complete game yet as a full team,'' Lewis said. ''I didn't think we started well. There are things we need to go and correct.''

The Bills have rebounded from a 1-4 start behind rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who is 5-1 at the helm and 2-0 since getting the job back from J.P. Losman. Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch returned Sunday after missing three games with high ankle sprain and rushed for 100 yards, as did former Coe College runner Fred Jackson.

''Their defense has been playing pretty consistent,'' Crennel said. ''They scored 37 points yesterday. I think they have settled on the quarterback. (Lynch) is a talent you have to deal with.

''You have two teams with similar records, they are neck and neck and both teams will be fighting for their lives. It should be one of those knock-down-drag-out kinds of games.''

Brownies

The only major injury from Sunday was linebacker Antwan Peek, who hurt his right ankle early in the second quarter and did not return. Peek has played through various ailments, but he said this is a new one. ''He came back after halftime and tried to run on the side with it. He wasn't able to get it done,'' Crennel said. . . . Crennel said the Browns' fourth-quarter defensive problems were caused by the Jets ''running against the sub defense.'' . . . Receiving game balls were Lewis and right guard Ryan Tucker (offense), linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Leon Williams (defense) and defensive back Mike Adams and Jurevicius (special teams).