A familiar phrase could be used to summarize the Cleveland Browns choking a win away to AFC North rivals the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.
Same old Browns.
A Cleveland optimist would point out that this young roster will eventually learn how to close games out. He would speak about how well quarterback Brian Hoyer has played in three games. He would say that the team’s defense will improve.
A pessimist would say that he’s seen this movie before, and he knows how it ends.
Cleveland Browns Week 4 NFL power rankings: ESPN
Ranking: 24
ESPN dropped the Browns only a single spot in NFL power rankings after Cleveland was unable to beat the Ravens at home. The site has been high on rookie running back Terrence West throughout the month, and that trend continues this week:
“Terrence West is one of 10 running backs with at least 200 yards this season. He’s been an effective complement to Brian Hoyer in Cleveland’s surprisingly productive offense (10th in points).”
As will be pointed out later in this piece, it’s the defense of the Browns that has let the team down in two of three games. That unit is why the Browns are 1-2.
Cleveland Browns Week 4 NFL power rankings: Mark Maske
Ranking: 27
Maske had the Browns at No. 22 in his Week 3 NFL power rankings after Cleveland defeated the New Orleans Saints. One phrase in particular sticks out when reviewing Maske’s latest list:
“Brian Hoyer has kept the Browns in every game until the final seconds. They have a win and two losses via final-second FGs.”
Hoyer has looked sharp in three games, but there is one stat that many beat reporters and NFL insiders continue to ignore. The current Cleveland starting quarterback has been presented with three game-winning drives in 2014. He has come through on one of them.
Quarterbacks are paid largely for what they do with games on the line. Hoyer deserves to remain above rookie Johnny Manziel on the depth chart, but that will change if his record does not improve.
Cleveland Browns Week 4 NFL power rankings: USA Today Sports
Ranking: 26
USA Today points out that the phenom known as Johnny Football will remain Johnny Clipboard for the time being. Whether or not Hoyer being the team’s starting quarterback when Cleveland takes on the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 gives the Browns the best chance of winning that game is a matter of opinion, but the 28-year old hasn’t done anything to lose the job.
Every AFC North team but the Browns won in Week 3, and that is reflected in many Week 4 NFL power rankings that have been published. USA Today has the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 10, Baltimore at No. 9, and the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 2 behind only the defending Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks.
Cleveland Browns Week 4 NFL power rankings: Pat Kirwan
Ranking: 26
Kirwan sees some hope for the 2014 Browns. After having them ranked dead last in his Week 3 NFL power rankings, the NFL insider bumped Cleveland up six spots. He envisions that the Browns will rise in his power rankings in the next month.
“Their two losses are by a combined 5 points. It wouldn’t surprise me if they went on a run over the next few weeks,” Kirwan wrote.
The NFL, like other professional sports league, is a business based on results. To steal and then slightly change a phrase used by Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine, there is a word used for “almost winning.”
That word is “losing.”
Cleveland browns Week 4 NFL power rankings: Chris Fedor
Ranking: 21
Fedor keeps the Browns at No. 21 after the team’s second loss of the season. That said, he is at least a little concerned.
“Cleveland needs to spend the bye week making changes,” wrote Fedor. “They should start by looking for their Pro Bowl cornerback, Joe Haden. He’s been missing.”
The Cleveland.com writer is spot-on. Haden has been a liability in 2014, and he was beaten by veteran wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. during what was Baltimore’s game-winning drive last Sunday. The Browns need more from the man advertised to be a shutdown corner.
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