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NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Cowboys find spark, Raiders look like pretenders

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a first down catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quater at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a first down catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quater at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

21. Cleveland Browns (22)

This season hasn’t gone anything like the Cleveland Browns hoped it would. After going 5-2 down the stretch in 2018, they added wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, and edge rusher Olivier Vernon. The three big names joined an already talented young roster, making them the exciting offseason pick to win the AFC North.

Even with all the talent, they now find themselves at their bye week with a mark of 2-4. Even worse, they have the New England Patriots on the schedule for Week 7, making it seem as though they will be 2-5 very soon.

Much of the heat has fallen on head coach Freddie Kitchens, the man John Dorsey hired despite the fact he had only eight games of experience as an offensive coordinator on his resume. So far, he’s been struggling with the new job and whispers about his lack of job security are starting to get loud.

Kitchens will need to use this week to try and shore up some of the team’s many issues — which include undisciplined penalties, poor offensive line play, bad play calling, and missed assignments on defense.

It sounds like a lot to fix, because it is. They have the talent but unless they clean up the little things, this team will be watching the playoffs from home once again.

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