Are the Browns better than they were last year?

 

I think so. I really do. And I think that will eventually be proven.

 

But right now, the evidence just isn’t there – certainly not conclusively, at least.

 

The people from sportsillustrated.com’s popular Monday Morning Quarterback (MMQB) don’t think the Browns are better, and they showed it this week by putting them No. 32 – or dead-last — in their NFL power rankings.

 

Before you blast the rankings, be aware that the MMQB, featuring Peter King, by far the best pro football writer, is by far the best pro football site. The MMQB staffers distance themselves from any loyalties thy might have and tell it – and write it – exactly the way they see it. They don’t pull any punches, but at the same time, they don’t pile on unnecessarily. They provide an accurate portrayal of the NFL and its teams, players and coaches. Whatever they say, you can believe it.

 

So, if MMQB says the Browns are at the very bottom of the NFL, then they must be. The Browns (0-3) were 28th after taking the Pittsburgh Steelers to the limit in the opener before losing 31-28. But a horrible performance in a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens knocked them back to 30th, and a 31-28 loss to the pathetic Indianapolis Colts, who bolted to a 28-7 second-quarter lead, pushed them backward two more spaces.

 

Coming in at No. 31 are the San Francisco 49ers (0-3) of first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan, a one-time Browns offensive coordinator.

 

The New York Jets (1-2), whose head coach is former Browns secondary coach Todd Bowles, are No. 30. They play the Browns in a week and a half at FirstEnergy Stadium.

 

At No. 29 are the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3), who visit Cleveland on Sunday and then host the Browns on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26.

 

The Colts (1-2), with another ex-Browns secondary coach, in this case Chuck Pagano, as their head coach, are 28th.

 

The Chicago Bears, 1-2 after their 23-17 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, come in at 27th. They host the Browns on Christmas Eve.

 

And in 26th place are the Los Angeles Chargers (0-3), who host Cleveland on Dec. 3. The Browns beat the Chargers for their lone victory last season.

 

Which team is No. 1? Interestingly enough, the Kansas City Chiefs (3-0).  Right behind them are the Super Bowl teams from last season in the Atlanta Falcons (3-0) and the defending champion New England Patriots (2-1), in that order.