Cleveland Browns: Week 11 NFL power rankings
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns are 0-10 on the season and have lost 20 of their past 21 games dating back to last season. So it is no surprise where they sit in the weekly power rankings.
Only six more games to go in the 2016 NFL season.
And that means only six more opportunities for the Cleveland Browns to avoid becoming the first NFL team to finish a season at 0-16 since the Detroit Lions in 2008.
With the losses comes the criticism, according to head coach Hue Jackson.
“To me, when you do not play as well as you like and you are in these situations, you open yourself up to a lot of criticism. I get it. I think we all do. Some of it is deserving when you are not winning. It is tough,” Jackson said. “At the same time, we knew it could be tough. We are going through it and it is part of the plan – not the losing – but it is part of where we want to go.
“Sometimes I think you take a step back to take a couple steps forward. We are headed in the right direction. I feel very comfortable with what we are doing. As I said this past week, Dee and Jimmy (Haslam) have been outstanding, and I meant that. They are unflinching in what we are trying to accomplish.
“That being said, I am sure it is hard for everybody to go through it, but we are going through it and we will come out of the other side of it.”
A win on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers would certainly help calm a lot of people down, but before we get to game day let’s take a quick run through the weekly NFL power rankings.
Cameron DaSilva at Fox Sports:
"No. 32: After six weeks, it was hard to imagine the Browns going winless. Now 10 weeks in, it’s a very real possibility they go 0-16 and lock up the top overall pick in the draft. At this point, winning games isn’t nearly as important as figuring out the quarterback situation, so losing might not be the worst idea. (Baltimore No. 17, Pittsburgh No. 18, Cincinnati No. 26)"
Chris Simms at Bleacher Report:
"No. 32: No more quarterback excuses. No more injury rationale. These Browns belong in the NFL’s cellar. After four weeks of narrow escapes, the league’s only winless team reclaims its rightful spot at the tail end of these power rankings. Thursday night’s offensive output against Baltimore was pitiful. It might have something to do with the Browns’ porous offensive line. Or head coach Hue Jackson’s wavering between his win-now quarterback (Josh McCown) or his future one (Cody Kessler). Jackson needs to stop and rethink his approach. If he doesn’t, the only thing we’ll know about his team at the end of the regular season is that it was historically bad. (Baltimore No. 11, Pittsburgh No. 16, Cincinnati No. 24)"
"No. 32: For the second straight week, unfortunately, we can’t talk about how the winless Browns don’t resemble their record. They do. Cleveland has been outscored over the last two games by 46 points combined. With that being said, getting blown out doesn’t mean the 0-10 season carries no potential value. How about fully seeing what you have Cody Kessler? As much as I like Josh McCown as a player and person, think Hue Jackson should have kept Kessler under center Thursday night. The rookie wasn’t playing poorly, and Cleveland ain’t running the table. (Baltimore No. 15, Pittsburgh No. 18, Cincinnati No. 23)"
"No. 32: The Browns are now 0-10 and host the Steelers this week. If the Browns lose again, they’ll fall to 0-11 for the first time in franchise history and the first time leaguewide since the 2011 Colts. (Pittsburgh No. 9, Baltimore No. 13, Cincinnati No. 18)"
"No. 31: They seem to be fading. The quarterback move to go to Josh McCown in the second half of a winnable game at Baltimore turned out to be awful. On the bright side, they’re using Jamie Collins in fun ways. If they can sign him to a front-loaded extension, I think that’ll be a great deal for them. (Pittsburgh No. 14, Baltimore No. 20, Cincinnati No. 25)"