Cleveland Browns: Thumbs up, thumbs down at the midway point

Coming into the season everyone understood that this was going to be a rough year and that wins would be hard to come by.

But no one expected an 0-8 start and the idea that the Browns would post the first 0-16 season since the Detroit Lions in 2008 seemed laughable. Now, however, with injuries and a schedule that gets decidedly more difficult in the second half of the season, the odds of a winless campaign are growing.

With each loss it gets more difficult for fans to stay engaged with the Browns, and for the players to keep working toward the bigger goal. That is where Jackson has been at his best so far this season, as while he has grown frustrated at times his attitude and public message has always been one of keeping eyes on the bigger picture.

“We have to get better everywhere so I am looking at everything that I can take an evaluation of because we have to solve it,” Jackson said this week. “It starts with me, all the way down through our coaches to our players and every unit that is here. We have to find a way, but I don’t want to make it such a huge problem to where it becomes a problem.

Next: Browns: Best chance to win is next Thursday

“It is a problem and we need to fix it, but at the same time, it is football, too. The ball does not bounce your way, you don’t make the plays you have an opportunity to make, and like I said, when we get good we are going to make these plays. I truly believe that.”