The Browns, considered Super Bowl contenders before the 2024 season began, now have just a four percent chance of making the playoffs and less than a one percent chance of winning the AFC North, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Four teams in the AFC — the Dolphins (70), Chargers (91), Patriots (99) and Titans (106) — have scored fewer than the 109 points put up by the 1-6 Browns, but the Dolphins and Titans have played one less game because each has had its bye and the Chargers play the Cardinals in a night game on Oct. 21. The Browns are four games behind the 5-2 Steelers, 2.5 in back of the 4-2 Ravens (before Oct. 210 and two behind the 3-4 Bengals in the division. As expected, the Browns on Oct. 21 announced an MRI revealed Deshaun Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon late in the second quarter of the 21-14 loss to the Bengals. Surgery is required and he will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. “Obviously, we’re disappointed when we lose anybody to injuries,” Coach Kevin Stefanski said on Zoom. “That’s a very, very unfortunate part of our game. We feel bad for Deshaun in this case, feel bad to lose him for the season. And we also know as a football team, this is where you have to step up. Guys have to step up, and that’s just how it goes.” Kevin Stefanski – sort of – answering questions about DTR, the #Browns season going sideways and the future of Deshaun Watson after Watson recovers from Achilles tendon surgery. pic.twitter.com/r9s73l1khV — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) October 21, 2024 Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson in the Cincinnati game, but he suffered a finger injury in the fourth quarter. Jameis Winston finished the game and threw a touchdown pass to David Njoku with less than two minutes to play. DTR completed 11 of 24 passes for 82 yards and threw two interceptions subbing for Watson. Winston was 5 of 11 for 67 yards and the touchdown in his brief appearance. Stefanski isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback for the game Oct. 27 against the Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. He said he needs more clarity on the seriousness of Thompson-Robinson’s injury. So how did this season go sideways so quickly? The Browns have lost six straight games for the first time since the disastrous 0-16 2017 season when DeShone Kizer was the quarterback. And it isn’t just the offense that has lost its compass. The Browns allowed a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown in the season opener with the Cowboys and a 100-yard return for a touchdown by the Bengals’ Charlie Jones on the opening kickoff Oct. 20 after the Browns won the coin toss and deferred. “I understand the question,” Stefanski said about the season going sideways. “I’m not really in that mode yet. That’s for end-of-the-season type things. I will tell you, this is sports. This is football. It teaches you a lot about yourself. You don’t always get what you want. You put in a lot of work, and you don’t always get that result you want, but you just have to respond. That’s really where we’re focused.” Stefanski said he expects the Browns to sign another quarterback, but isn’t sure whether the new QB will be part of the 53-man roster or the practice squad. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is waiting to find out the severity of Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s injury before deciding on on a starting quarterback (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald) Ravens at Browns When: 1 p.m. Oct. 27 Where: Huntington Bank Field Records: Ravens 4-2 (before Oct. 21), Browns 1-6 TV: WOIO Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850, WKKY-FM 104.7