As of Wednesday morning, neither Mayfield nor Keenum had cleared the health protocols, putting Nick Mullens, the team’s third-string quarterback, in line to start again. But regardless of who is starting at quarterback, the matchup against Green Bay will be tough. The Packers (11-3) arguably have the best home-field advantage in the league, and forecasts call for the temperature to be near freezing with winds at 10 miles an hour.
Aaron Rodgers, as usual, is playing efficiently, completing nearly 68 percent of his passes, and he has thrown for 3,487 yards and 30 touchdowns. Eight of those touchdowns were caught by Davante Adams, who ranks third in the league in receiving yards (1,248) and fourth in catches (96).
The Packers defense has also played well, allowing only two teams to rush for more than 150 yards and allowing an average of 217.9 passing yards per game. The Packers have already clinched the N.F.C. North and currently hold the conference’s No. 1 seed, meaning the road to the playoffs runs through Lambeau Field.
Green Bay is justifiably a 7.5-point betting favorite, and if the Browns, short-handed or not, falter in any area of the game, it could get ugly.