By STEVE KING

This season has had its share of ups downs for the Browns.

They have gamely tried to fight back from all of them, and have so far done only a so-so job, as evidenced by their 6-6 record with five games remaining in a season when so much more was expected.

But I’m wondering now, after an excruciating 16-10 loss to Baltimore last Sunday in a game they almost had to win to stay in contention in the AFC North, how things will go for the Browns as they come off their bye and get ready for the rematch against the Ravens next Sunday FirstEnergy Stadium.

Energy? Will the Browns have any in either their preparation or in the game? Or will the weight of this disappointing season, and that loss to the Ravens, linger?

I don’t really know. I just don’t have a feel for it.

But General Manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski will continue to evaluate everybody and everything as the Browns try to finish strongly, possibly sneak into the playoffs as a wild card and, in the very least, carry some positive momentum into the offseason and next season.

Indeed, the Browns are not a finished product by any stretch. Baker Mayfield probably still needs to prove he can be the team’s franchise quarterback as he struggles some on the field, and even more so with injuries. With Mayfield not clicking, particularly recently, the offense has not clicked, either. So. there’s improvement needed there.

The defense? It is getting better, and is coming off a pretty good effort against the Ravens, especially Browns-killer quarterback Lamar Jackson, but it still has a long, long way to go.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that the Browns would be in this position? But in it they are. Do they have enough left pride left to do anything about it?

We’ll see.