AFC North Power Rankings Week One

Aug 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) rolls out during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been holding up the fourth spot in the AFC North for a long time, and sadly it doesn’t look good for this year either.  The Browns started the offseason with some hope after their defense and offensive line looked much improved last season, and they retained the best center in the NFL in Alex Mack after a bit of a scare.

They also brought in the promising Mike Pettine to be their new head coach, who always seemed to get the best out of his players as a defensive coordinator in Buffalo.  Josh Gordon led the NFL in receiving last season, and Brian Hoyer got healthy following a promising three game stretch last season.  The Browns then drafted the mercurial Johnny Manziel in the first round.

But things went south when Gordon received a one year ban after another failed drug test, and the team now has a rag tag group of pass catchers behind tight end Jordan Cameron.  Hoyer is at best a long term backup, and Manziel didn’t look ready in the preseason.  Opposing teams figure to stack the box and challenge the Browns to throw the ball to the likes of Miles Austin, who has been taking up space in the medical ward for years.  Good luck with that.