Evaluating the Cleveland Browns at the quarter mark

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are in a bad place as the 2015 NFL season has hit the quarter mark.

A 1-3 record, an offense that struggles in the red zone (just three touchdowns in 11 tries), a defense that can’t stop the run, the pass or put down the quarterback, it’s really not a good look for the Orange and Brown.

“With a quarter of the season behind us, the fact is that we are 1-3. We own that.” – Head coach Mike Pettine

“With a quarter of the season behind us, the fact is that we are 1-3. We own that,” head coach Mike Pettine said on Monday. “It is not where we certainly wanted to be, but we are not going to make excuses for that start. We own it and that’s our focus. We talked to the team about it today – where we are and how to move forward.

“I think we knew after watching the film that we are close, but we are in a bottom line business. As I’ve said all along, you are either winning or you are losing. The encouraging thing is we’ve made strides in some areas, and there are areas where we know we have to get things cleaned up and we know we are capable of doing it. I thought it was a very positive meeting. I think our guys will learn a lot from this film and move on from it.”

It’s the Browns credit that, as bad as things have gone so far, they were driving for a game-tying touchdown against Oakland and were just a penalty flag away from going to overtime against San Diego. Turn a couple of plays the other way, and suddenly everyone is feeling better about this team.

But that’s the way it always is with the Browns – they are just one play away, but can never seem to make that fortune-changing play.

With that in mind, let’s do a quick “thumbs up, thumbs down” on the current state of the Browns as they prepare to take on Baltimore this Sunday.

Next: The Quarterbacks