AFC Notes: Browns, Patriots, Ravens

Browns

The Browns’ 24-19 loss to the Broncos on Sunday dropped Cleveland to 2-6 on the season, a long way away from where many thought the team would be in HC Freddie Kitchens‘ first season. The extent to which the Browns have underperformed relative to the apparent talent on their roster has some questioning whether Kitchens will make it to a second year coaching the team. 

“It really doesn’t concern me,” Kitchens said via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “It’s not my decision. I’ve never worried about it before, I’m not worried about it now, I’m not going to worry about it in the future. I’ll just do the best job I can do.”

• ESPN’s Tony Grossi said the Browns benched OT Greg Robinson last week to try and wake him up so he’d clean up his technique. 
• His replacement at left tackle last week, Justin McCray, isn’t seen as a long-term option by Cleveland, per Grossi. 
• Browns RB Kareem Hunt is set to return this week and will “definitely have a role” per Kitchens. (Cabot)
• Adam Caplan reports that the Browns worked out WRs Victor Bolden, Alex Wesley, and Malik Henry on Monday. 

Patriots

The Patriots entered Sunday night’s game against the Ravens as the runaway favorite for the NFL’s best team at the halfway mark of the season, with an 8-0 record, all-time defense and an offense that still featured Tom Brady despite other flaws. After a 37-20 loss, they exited with a lot more questions about their status. 

“Losses always find a way to recalibrate how you see yourself,” Brady said via Pro Football Talk. “We obviously have a lot of work to do. Tonight, obviously wasn’t good enough. When you get beat by 17 points, that’s not what we’re all about. Give the Ravens credit, they played really well. They took advantage of their opportunities and that is what it takes.”

Ravens

• Per the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens HC John Harbaugh said Ravens first-round rookie WR Marquise Brown is still working his way back to health and is just scratching the surface of his potential: “He’s nowhere near where he’s going to be.”
• While Baltimore has worked out several returners in recent weeks, Harbaugh maintains the team is happy with CB/KR Cyrus Jones, for now: “We’re always looking for players.” (Zrebiec)