As much of a step forward as the Browns made a week ago in pushing the Pittsburgh Steelers to the limit before losing 21-18 in the season opener, they took that much of a step backward in pushing the patience of head coach Hue Jackson and their fans to the limit while losing 24-10 to the host Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

There was nothing good about it, except that it’s over. This was as ugly and dysfunctional as it gets.

The Browns aren’t back to square one. It’s worse than that in many regards in that they are back to 2016, when they went an NFL- and franchise-worst – 1-15, looking way too many times like they were the junior varsity playing against the varsity.

Yes, I know the Ravens are good. They look capable of giving Pittsburgh a run for its money in the AFC North.

Yes, I know that their defense is really good. It is tough, physical and opportunistic. When it gives up yards, it ends up stopping the drives with turnovers.

Yes, I know that Joe Flacco is one of the better quarterbacks in the AFC. He knows how to make plays when it counts the most.

Yes, I know that Browns Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome is the best general manager in the NFL. He knows how to put a team together.

Yes, I know that the Ravens were playing at M&T Bank Stadium, where they are especially tough to beat.

Yes, I know that there are going to be struggles for the Browns because of their youth and inexperience, particularly at quarterback, where they are starting a rookie in DeShone Kizer.

Yes, I know all of that. I knew it going into the game, and you did, too.

Even so, there is no excuse – absolutely none – for the way the Browns performed – or, as it were, did not perform.

The Browns committed five turnovers, which is way, way too many.

They committed 10 penalties, which is also way, way too many.

Their offensive line, on which they spent plenty of money to fortify during the offseason, was bad for the second week in a row. What’s the deal? Wake up, men!

And speaking of waking up, do the Browns know that most of these games this year, including the first two, start at 1 pm.? They’re not ready to play at the opening kickoff. They get into it by about 1:30. By then, they’re in deep trouble, which was the case against Pittsburgh and again on Sunday. Their starts were incredibly slow. They dug themselves holes out of which they couldn’t completely climb. That’s on the coaching staff. Those coaches need to do a better job of preparing these players. They look frightened out there in the first several minutes.

That episode at the end of the first half was a comedy of errors. Instead of trailing only 14-10 or perhaps being tied 14-14, the Browns were behind 21-7. Too many mistakes.

I’m not enamored with the offensive play-calling, either. A quarterback run from the Baltimore 2 in the second half? Come on, Hue, you’re better than that!

Winning isn’t necessarily going to be the focus this year. I get that. The Browns are building. They’re looking to play better, and when they do, they will have chances to win.

But when they perform like they did on Sunday, looking like they were practicing for the first time this season, they have no chance to win. They have no chance to gain even a more victory, for those who are interested in such things.

The Browns must do better. To do anything but that is unacceptable. It is lowering the bar, and the bar was already pretty low