The Cleveland Browns are now ranked the NFL's worst team after losing in Week 1.
The Cleveland Browns are now ranked the NFL's worst team by Bleacher Report after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
Bleacher Report ranked Cleveland No. 30 heading into Week 1. The Browns are now No. 32.
"It is going to be another long season at the Factory of Sadness," BR wrote.
Cleveland lost to Jacksonville by a final score of 34-10. The Browns struggled on both sides of the ball, as the offense had only 272 total yards (185 passing, 87 rushing) and the defense gave up 360 total yards (234 passing, 126 rushing).
As expected, Browns QB Deshaun Watson played poorly against the Jaguars. The former Houston Texans star went 16/22 through the air. He threw one touchdown and one interception and was sacked five times.
"Watson's stats weren't bad in a blowout loss to the Jaguars, but his lone touchdown throw came in garbage time and for most of the game the Browns had no vertical passing attack. That let the NFL's best run defense from a year ago tee off on running back Quinshon Judkins, who averaged less than three yards per carry. The even bigger disappointment was a Browns defense that ranked inside the top-five last year. Sure, Myles Garrett is gone. But the Jaguars did whatever they wanted offensively in Week 1, whether it was on the ground or through the air. It was an ugly performance all the way around. And the Browns are the NFL's worst team. Again," BR wrote.
The Browns trailed the Jaguars 24-0 at halftime, tying their worst halftime shutout in the past 35 years.
Through two quarters, Cleveland had only five first downs on six drives and were 0-for-4 on third down.
"I think we just got to find a rhythm overall," Watson said. "Of course everyone's going to look at the quarterback in the situation. ... We got to put points on the board, and that's what you got to do in this league. Playing the quarterback position, you're the leader in that role. And we didn't do that today. We only got 10. We left a lot out there. So obviously I take that responsibility full throttle, and we got to look at the tape and see how we can be better and try to attack Tampa Bay next week to be able to get points on the board to be able to get wins."
Watson will start again in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the Buccaneers lost in Week 1 as well, Tampa Bay will probably destroy Cleveland in Week 2.
After all, Baker Mayfield is facing his former team and will likely want to run it up against them.
The Browns' home opener is in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. Watson will get booed in that game by the home fans, so Todd Monken would be smart to start Shedeur Sanders in that contest.
