Why are the Browns 2-6 and the Falcons 8-0? D'Qwell Jackson has an answer

Despite five visits to the red zone in Sunday's loss to the Ravens, Browns QB Brandon Weeden didn't attempt one throw into the end zone. (US Presswire)

The Browns are 2-7. The Atlanta Falcons are 8-0. But Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson doesn't perceive a huge difference between the two teams.

"The Atlanta Falcons have been in a lot of close games, but they've been able to make the big catches and make the big stops," he said. "That's the difference between us and Atlanta."

Jackson pointed out that the Browns have been competitive in every game but the 41-27 loss to the Giants. They have often executed well until the outcome of games have hung in the balance. Then they simply fall apart.

"I wish I had an answer for that," he said. "We fight for four quarters and have a chance to win games, but we can't find a play or call that gets us over the hump. It's been a rocky year. No one expected us to be in the position we're in right now. The difference is this year guys feel we have the team to get over the hump. ... We still have to find our identity. We feel we have enough guys who can score touchdowns and stop people."

The bottom line is the Browns didn't score a touchdown, and a defense that had forced six straight three-and-outs couldn't make a critical stop down the stretch of the 25-15 loss Sunday to Baltimore. Quarterback Brandon Weeden didn't make one throw into the end zone despite five visits to the red zone. Tight end Jordan Cameron explained that the Ravens strategy precluded such attempts.

"They were dropping two safeties back," he said. "That makes it difficult to throw into the end zone. We just have to make our reads and get into open spots.

The Browns were doomed down the stretch by confusion and questionable play calls. A touchdown pass from Weeden to Gordon off a slant play was negated by an illegal formation call on running back Chris Ogbonnaya. The Ravens were buoyed by an illegal hit penalty against strong safety T.J. Ward on quarterback Joe Flacco. Shurmur came under fire for trying to convert a fourth-and-2 play on the Browns 28-yard line with two timeouts, just under four minutes remaining and his team trailing 22-15.

An overthrown pass from Weeden to wide receiver Greg Little on a medium-range route over the middle doomed the Browns because it left Baltimore in field goal position. The Ravens indeed clinched the victory with a field goal.

"What you'd like to do is execute, give [Weeden] a better play, and make it," Shurmur said "I would consider doing something different if we could guarantee getting the ball back. But we got to give him a better play."