Browns DC repeats postgame celebration from time as Lions HC

Now in his first campaign with the Browns, Schwartz has been a critical part of Cleveland's surprise turnaround in 2023. With the Week 17 "Thursday Night Football" win against the New York Jets, the group has clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2020, second time since 2003 and third time since 1995.

In the aftermath of the 37-20 primetime victory, Schwartz told three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith to do a postgame celebration with the Browns fans similar to what he had Lions players do over a decade ago.

After being selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Bobby Carpenter played in 98 games (including five playoff contests) over seven seasons with four different teams. The linebacker signed with Detroit in October 2010 and recorded the only interception of his career (a 34-yard pick-six) with the Lions during the 2011 campaign.

This isn't the first time that Schwartz has been a part of a run to the playoffs in Cleveland, as the 57-year-old's first NFL gig was as a personnel scout with the Browns from 1993-1995. Led by head coach Bill Belichick, Cleveland made the playoffs during the 1994 season as a wild card and ironically, defeated Belichick's future club (the New England Patriots) in the first round of the tournament. Belichick, Schwartz and company then lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round.

Schwartz's first and only head-coaching job thus far lasted from 2009-2013 with Detroit.

The Browns still have an outside shot at the top seed in the AFC but would need to win on the road in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals and have the Baltimore Ravens lose their final two games, both of which are at home.

With quarterback Joe Flacco suddenly playing like he's 28 rather than 38 years old and 2020 AP Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski perhaps securing the award in 2023 again, Cleveland is looking like a dangerous out in the tournament, despite all of their injuries.