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2018 NFL Power Rankings: Packers put on clinic in Preseason Week 2

By Randy Gurzi

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 16: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on August 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 16: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on August 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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2018 NFL Power Rankings
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 17: Carlos Hyde #34 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

26. Cleveland Browns (25)

It was a tale of two extremes for the Cleveland Browns when looking at their ground game in Preseason Week 1 compared to Week 2. After struggling to get anything going at all against the Giants last week, they completely dominated on the ground against Buffalo in Week 2.

Carlos Hyde cemented himself as the starter after there were questions about rookie Nick Chubb taking the role from him. The former Ohio State standout dashed through Bills defenders to the tune of 64 yards and a touchdown on just nine attempts. Also getting time with the ones was Duke Johnson, who ended with 27 yards on four rushes.

Chubb then entered the game and kept things going. He had 53 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, putting his dreadful 15 carries for 11 yards performance from a week ago in the rearview. As a team, they finished with 32 rushed for 164 yards and two scores, but they still managed just 17 points and lost by two.

The problem is obviously consistency. While the passing game was on fire a week ago and the running game stunk, the roles reversed in this one. Cleveland didn’t even hit triple digits in passing yardage as their offensive line struggled to protect Baker Mayfield when he was in the game. They’re a better team than they were in 2017, but that doesn’t mean they’re a good team yet.

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