NFL Power Rankings: Browns slide back down

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper (89) is pursued by Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and cornerback Tramon Williams (22) on a 40-yard reception in the second quarter in a NFL game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It only took one game for the Cleveland Browns to take a dip in the weekly NFL power rankings.

Cleveland’s 27-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday took the air out of a team that came into the game off an exciting win over Tennessee, and ignited the wrath of a segment of fans who want Johnny Manziel in at quarterback regardless of whether or not he is ready.

“That disappointment is clearly there. We wasted a good opportunity in front of our home crowd, didn’t play well enough to earn the right to win,” head coach Mike Pettine said on Monday. “I thought last week all three phases contributed. This week, it was the exact opposite, and we’re obviously all accountable for that.

“The fact that we didn’t start the game the way we needed to hurt us. Slow start with a lot of little mistakes, those mistakes added up. We started to play well later, but when you get down three scores, you leave yourself no margin for error. I do like the way we got back into the game, fought until the end.”

While the loss dropped the Browns in the rankings, the offense actually moved up to 25th (from 30th) in the league’s offensive rankings. Of course, the run defense continued to hold down the bottom of the league rankings as the Browns are currently giving up 158.3 yards per game (almost 17 more yards per game than last season).

Here is where the Browns sit as the team prepares to head to San Diego to take on the Chargers:

Elliott Harrison at NFL.com (28, down 3):

"Josh McCown did his very best to make it fun late, but then he got played by one of the few guys who’s been playing professional football longer than him. No, I’m not talking about Sebastian Janikowski. Charles Woodson, two years McCown’s senior at 38, baited the quarterback into a regrettable throw, finishing off the Brownies with a majestic interception. The loss dropped Cleveland two games back of AFC North leader Cincinnati, with a challenging stretch of games on the horizon."

"Of the Browns’ next seven games before a Week 11 bye, five come on the road and five come against playoff teams from last season. Can Mike Pettine and staff prevent yet another lost season in the land of Brian Sipe jerseys? (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 9, Baltimore No. 22)"

Frank Schwab at Yahoo Sports (23, down 1):

"You’d guess that anytime they throw for 341 yards this season they would win. But the defense let down, giving up 469 yards and way too many big plays. (Cincinnati No. 3, Pittsburgh No. 9, Baltimore No. 19)"

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Sean Tomlinson at Bleacher Report (23, down 2):

"I was bullish on the Cleveland Browns in this space a week ago, assuming and/or hoping Johnny Manziel had done enough to remain their starting quarterback. He still has his flaws, but Manziel’s dynamic athleticism alone gives the Browns a far better chance to win each week."

"But since he’s evidently been poisoned by the factory of sadness, Browns head coach Mike Pettine re-inserted Josh McCown under center after he recovered from his concussion. Pettine then received what he deserved after that decision when McCown was indecisive while taking five sacks, fumbling once and also throwing the game-sealing interception during a loss to the Oakland Raiders."

"His poor play came against a Raiders pass defense that’s now allowed 969 yards over three games. (Cincinnati No. 3, Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 25)"

ESPN (No. 26, down 5):

"Why not go with Johnny Manziel? Josh McCown has lost his past eight starts, the second-longest active streak in the NFL (Brandon Weeden, nine). (Cincinnati No. 5, Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 22)"

Pat Kirwin at CBS Sports (No 27, down 3):

"That was a game they had to have against the Raiders at home. Josh McCown passed for 341 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw a critical pick near the end of the game. Dialing up 49 pass plays is not a recipe for winning for this Browns team, even in a game you’re playing from behind. (Cincinnati No. 5, Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 26)"

FanSided (No. 25, down 2):

"The Browns are a team with a crisis of conscious. Should they stay with Josh McCown, or should they take another run at Johnny Manziel? Mike Pettine will likely keep with the former, but after Sunday’s defeat fans will be clamoring for the latter. More pressing in Cleveland is the lack of a run game. Neither Isaiah Crowell nor Duke Johnson could get anything going against a tepid Raiders defense. Cleveland’s record is perfectly emblematic of their play on the field: inconsitent. This season is shaping up to be a roller coaster of emotions. (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 10, Baltimore No. 24)"

Next: 5 reasons Johnny Manziel will not start in the near future

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