Browns remain anchored at the bottom of Week 5 power rankings
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have once again taken up residence in the basement of the weekly NFL power rankings and it may take a while to work their way out.
It is fitting that the calendar has turned to October, because the numbers surrounding the Cleveland Browns are terrifying.
No wins in four tries this season. One win in their last 20 games. Four wins in their last 36 games. Five wins in their last 43 games.
Anyone who has watched the team over the past few seasons knows that things have been bad, but when you put the numbers down on paper like that it becomes almost impossible to comprehend.
The only way that will change, as head coach Hue Jackson told clevelandbrowns.com, is to, well, start winning.
"“Losing isn’t good for anybody. Like I said, we are trying to get to winning as fast as we can. I think we all understand that, but I don’t have the psychological thought process of what is on the other side of that. I just know that losing is not good for anybody. I just think at some point in time, you have to get to winning as fast as you can and I truly believe that that is what we are trying to do.”"
It appeared that the Browns had a chance to start accumulating wins the past two weeks as they faced the winless Indianapolis Colts and the winless Cincinnati Bengals in consecutive weeks, but that didn’t happen. They will get another crack this Sunday when they host the New York Jets and old friend Josh McCown.
Until then, the Browns continue to put down roots at the bottom of the weekly power rankings.
"No. 32 (no change): Maybe when first overall pick Myles Garrett takes the field, things will improve for the defense. But for now, the Browns rank 31st in defensive FPI and last in opponent QBR. Hang in there, Cleveland. (Pittsburgh No. 5, Baltimore No. 22, Cincinnati No. 23)"
"No. 32 (no change): At 0-4, you have to wonder how long before owner Jimmy Haslam starts getting antsy. This team is worse than last year. (Pittsburgh No. 10, Cincinnati No. 24, Baltimore No. 25)"
"No. 32 (no change): I realize they were dealing with significant injuries on Sunday and this is still a work in progress. Still, they trailed 31-0 at home to an 0-3 Bengals team. And they haven’t been competitive since Week 1 against Pittsburgh, and they trailed by 11 in the fourth quarter of that game. I’ve said often that Hue Jackson needs four or five years regardless of results, but this is getting a bit dire. (Pittsburgh No. 2, Baltimore No. 23, Cincinnati No. 24)"
"No. 32 (no change): Hue Jackson says DeShone Kizer will remain the starting quarterback. Kevin Hogan relieved Kizer on Sunday. Get excited. The 31-7 turdfest was easily the Browns’ worst performance of the season. The turning point, if there is such a thing in a 31-7 game, had to be Gio Bernard taking a screen pass 61 yards to the house right before the half. The CBS broadcast discussed Cincinnati closing the offense down with such little time left ahead of halftime. The Bengals didn’t. Nor did Cleveland defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who blitzed. Ovah.(Pittsburgh No. 6, Baltimore No. 23, Cincinnati No. 26)"
The Browns may finally be getting healthy on defense and rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer did play “lights out” against the Bengals, according to Jackson at least, so maybe the Jets will be the tonic that starts to cure what has been ailing the Browns for far too long.
Next: Browns: Defensive takeaways from Week 4 loss
There has to be a victory Monday at some point this season … doesn’t there?