Cleveland Browns bottom out in Week 4 power rankings
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns remain winless on the season and have now dropped to a familiar position in the weekly power rankings.
The Cleveland Browns and their fans entered the 2017 regular season with high hopes that the worst part of the rebuilding effort was finally in the past.
But then the season started and reality set in.
Opening the season with losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens was not surprising; after all, the Browns are a combined 5-33 against the Steelers and Ravens since 2008.
But losing to the winless Indianapolis Colts, even if it was on the road, was another thing. Many had the Colts game circled as an “easy win” for the Browns, but 31 points later people were reminded just how hard it is for this Browns team to find a victory.
It is a reality that head coach Hue Jackson and the players are dealing with, and one that they are continuing to work through, Jackson told the team’s website:
"“None of us like losing. There is a human element we all deal with. Let’s be honest, that is there, but I think this team is very resilient and I think they will keep working. I know they will. I think they will keep coming here and getting ready to go. We have a big game this week, and I think we all recognize that, but these guys are pros and they understand what their job is and they understand what we need to do, but I am not going to tell you that I don’t think about the human side of it. As the head coach, that is something I do have to think through with our football team.”"
The Browns will be back home on Sunday as they face another winless team for the second consecutive week in the Cincinnati Bengals.
As the Browns get ready for their third division game of the season, this week’s power rankings show that they have nowhere to go but up.
"No. 32 (down 3): DeShone Kizer: 26.6 Total QBR. Kizer has the fourth-worst Total QBR this season, but there is some good news. Well, kind of. His QBR through three career starts is better than Brandon Weeden’s and Johnny Manziel’s, so that’s good. The Bengals and Jets are up next for the Browns, so there’s hope for improvement. (Pittsburgh No. 6, Baltimore No. 18, Cincinnati No. 25)"
"No. 32 (down 4): It’s going to be a long season. The defense was a problem against the Colts and Jacoby Brissett. (Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 23, Cincinnati No. 30)"
"No. 32 (down 3): I don’t love putting the Browns at No. 32. I want to be optimistic and see progress. But after a decent showing Week 1, they’ve looked hopeless against the Ravens (who looked awful on Sunday) and the Colts, who aren’t very good either. (Pittsburgh No. 4, Baltimore No. 22, Cincinnati No. 28)"
"No. 32 (down 4); Not a fan of putting the pesky Browns in the last position, but the effort from the defense in the loss to the Colts earned it. DeShone Kizer must avoid the red-zone turnovers, as well. That said, Kizer absolutely displayed why he belongs. Frankly, I am glad Cleveland is playing Kizer now, effectively working out freshman kinks while expectations are low. What wasn’t low? Jordan Leslie’s one-handed catch. RIDICULOUS. Definitely worth a rewatch. (Pittsburgh No. 13, Baltimore No. 20, Cincinnati No. 30)"
A win on Sunday against the Bengals may not solve all the problems currently plaguing the Browns, but it would be a great place to start.
Next: DPD Podcast: Another 0-3 start
Another loss? Well, we’ve all been there before and let’s not think about the repercussions of an 0-4 start to the season.