NFL Energy Rankings: What's the Browns spot after Week 14 loss?

Here’s a abstract of how the Cleveland Browns are seen throughout mainstream media shops in NFL Energy Rankings heading into Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season.

CBS Sports activities – No. 24 (up 1 spot)

The great feeling about Jameis Winston has gone away after two straight losses. It’s not him, however the shedding could make the great instances go away.

ESPN – No. 24 (up 1 spot)

Most stunning rating: 2nd-most explosive performs allowed

The Browns gave up the fewest yards per play (4.6) final season, however that determine has ballooned to five.7 in 2024, primarily due to the 100 explosive performs they’ve allowed. It’s a head-scratching challenge for a protection that gave up the second-fewest explosive performs in 2023 and returned the vast majority of its starters for a second season with coordinator Jim Schwartz. In accordance with Schwartz, there was no commonality in these performs — typically it’s missed tackles and different instances it’s protection breakdowns.

NFL.com – No. 25 (no change)

Jameis Winston appeared to actually battle underneath stress early in opposition to the Steelers, however he rallied a bit and gave the Browns some life. The issue was that they turned the ball over 3 times (together with through two Winston picks) and missed two field-goal tries, extending Dustin Hopkins’ depressing season. The primary decide and two huge kicks helped flip a 7-3 Browns lead right into a three-score deficit within the span of about one and a half quarters. Winston threw his second decide with lower than 5 minutes left. Then, with the rating at 27-14, the Steelers punted again to the Browns. Kadarius Toney coughed it up on the return, and the Steelers ran out the clock. Earlier, Toney earned a taunting flag after a good catch. These have been his closing two snaps of the sport. All of his advantageous earlier work on punt returns simply vanished, because of these two fateful performs.

The Browns are doing their finest to journey with and rally round Jameis Winston, however it’s tough when he’s making an attempt to get pass-happy with little working sport and a regressing protection.

Yahoo Sports activities – No. 26 (down 2 spots)

Bleacher Report – No. 27 (down 1 spot)

The Cleveland Browns’ loss of their tenth sport and elimination from the postseason in Week 14 is hardly stunning—the Browns have been a nasty workforce many of the season. That the workforce turned the ball over 3 times, dedicated 9 penalties, and squandered a number of scoring alternatives was even much less stunning—the workforce has been its personal worst enemy all yr lengthy. After 9 interceptions in 5 video games by Jameis Winston, some pundits are already calling for Dorian Thompson-Robinson to begin the remainder of the season.

“Winston is an old Porsche with no brakes and one functioning airbag,” Jason Lloyd of the Athletic wrote. It’s going to be a enjoyable journey, however sooner or later, there will probably be a crash and it’s in all probability going to harm. (Kevin) Stefanski stated he didn’t think about going to DTR when the sport was out of hand within the fourth quarter. The Browns have been excessive on him since they drafted him. Why not use the final month to have a look and see what’s there?”

After all, we’ve seen Thompson-Robinson play, too. He has accomplished underneath 52 % of his passes with one landing and 6 picks. He’s Winston—with none arm expertise.

Analyst’s Take

The Browns have been eradicated from playoff competition in Week 14, however it’s felt like their season has been over since early October. I’ll give Kevin Stefanski credit score for persevering with to generate robust efforts amid a misplaced season, however holding the locker room collectively in 2025 may additionally be difficult. Cleveland’s roster has a number of holes that will probably be tough to fill within the offseason, because the franchise faces a major salary-cap deficit. Anticipate the Browns to spend the ultimate month auditioning a number of youthful (or just cheaper) gamers for the longer term.

USA In the present day – No. 27 (no change)

No workforce has a better share of drives (73.9%) finish with out factors … which is what occurs whenever you commit 21 turnovers and miss 9 field-goal tries.

Listed beneath is a abstract desk of the place groups within the AFC North are ranked this week.

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