Hope abounds for the NFL’s final four as Browns, Lions, Texans and Jaguars eye elusive Super Bowl

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — They are bonded by football futility for now, but surely not forever. Right?

Cleveland, Detroit, Houston and Jacksonville — the NFL’s final four, if you will — are the last remaining teams to never make a Super Bowl. They’re far from favorites yet still in contention to end their droughts as the playoffs near.

The Browns (11-5) and Lions (11-5) have clinched postseason berths. The Texans (9-7) and Jaguars (9-7) can join them with victories this weekend.

“It’s great for all four of those franchises,” said retired NFL cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who spent nine of his 15 professional seasons with Houston. “They’re on the verge and they’re not going away. They’re all young teams with young talent. It’s only a matter of time.”