Browns see opportunity with AFC North opponents Ravens, Bengals ahead on schedule

BEREA − It's as cliched an answer as there is in sports. However, it's the only answer the Browns can give right now as they find themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak and a 2-4 start to the season.

"Yeah. I mean, the score is 0-0 right now for Sunday," quarterback Jacoby Brissett said Wednesday. "So that’s our mindset. We’ve only got one right now, so that’s our focus is taking care of this one and it starts today."

The Browns may only have one game in front of it this week, but it's not just any routine game. They'll travel to play the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, a game which isn't just important because it's the next one on the schedule.

The Ravens currently sit at 3-3 on the season, However, that's good enough to be tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for first place in the AFC North.

"I mean, honestly it’s another game in the NFL, which is a treat in itself," Brissett said. "Versus a very good team. That’s another reason. Versus a division opponent, another reason. Needing a win is another. So it’s a bunch of reasons why we need to be ready to go this week and I think the guys understand that."

The Browns are a game behind the Ravens and Bengals in the division standings. There's a scenario in which the three teams could all be tied for first by late Sunday afternoon.

That scenario, though, has to include the Browns going into Baltimore and winning at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns have only done that five times in their previous 23 trips there.

"I think that’s our mindset," Brissett said. "We’re spending all of our time focusing on the Ravens this week, not worrying about last week because it’s over. Yeah, so we’re excited about this one.”

The Browns do still have ownership of their own path in the AFC North, even going into their bye week in two weeks. The Ravens game is the first of back-to-back division games for them, with a home Monday Night Football game against the Bengals coming up next week.

So for all of the disappointment of the past three weeks, the Browns can change the narrative pretty quickly heading into the bye. Wins over the Ravens and Bengals would bring them back to .500 at 4-4, with a 3-0 record within the division.

"We know these games mean more," running back Nick Chubb said. "At the end of the day, it’s still a game. We have to go out there and play them with who we’re playing so we understand that but definitely a sense of urgency with this team. We’ve lost the past three games I believe so we all feel that. We all understand what’s going on and we’re all eager to go out and play our best game.”

Safety John Johnson III understands the line of thinking that takes the next two games as a collective because of commonality of being AFC North opponents. He knows what the path forward requires the Browns to do in order to set themselves up in position to make noise in the final nine games of the season.

Johnson, though, understands the Ravens are the only opponent the Browns can actually beat this week.

"I feel like you can look at it that way," Johnson said, "but you've also got to just narrow it down to if we win this game we'll put ourselves in a situation to get that first-place spot. But it's going to be one week at a time, one day at a time and it starts today and I think we've got to dominate today and go from there."

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns see opportunity with AFC North opponents ahead on schedule