1. Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is emerging as the Browns’ top offensive player and quite possibly the face of a franchise dealing with losing on a consistent basis. Pryor was a bright spot in last week’s 30-24 overtime loss to the host Miami Dolphins when he set career highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (144). He also completed 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards and rushed four times for 21 yards with a touchdown. He became the first NFL player to have at least 120 receiving yards, 30 passing yards and 20 rushing yards in a game since Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford on Dec. 6, 1959. Gifford led the host New York Giants to a 48-7 win over the Browns on that day. Pryor’s 144 receiving yards were the most by a Browns wide receiver since Josh Gordon totaled 151 yards in a 27-26 loss at the New England Patriots on Dec. 8, 2013. The Pro Football Hall of Fame asked for Pryor’s uniform, gloves and cleats to put them on display in Canton alongside Gifford’s gear. Pryor will likely see a lot of Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman this week.
2. Speaking of Gordon, he is not going to be coming to the rescue for the Browns this season. In fact, the team has said it plans to move on from Gordon following Thursday’s news that he checked into an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown and coach Hue Jackson each said they hope Gordon can regain control of his life and be successful in the future. Gordon was once considered one of the NFL’s up-and-coming stars at wide receiver, but now Brown said Gordon’s “singular focus must be on his own health,” and Jackson said “we wish him well, but we are moving forward.”
3. Cody Kessler will make his second NFL start Sunday. He is the Browns’ 26th starting quarterback since the franchise’s rebirth in 1999. Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown started Weeks 1 and 2 this season, but are out with injuries. Kessler completed 21-of-33 passes last week in Miami for 244 yards. He is the first Browns quarterback to start consecutive games this regular season. Big performances from Pryor, Andrew Hawkins, Gary Barnidge and Duke Johnson on Sunday would certainly help Kessler. The last Browns quarterback to start consecutive games was Johnny Manziel on Dec. 13 (win over San Francisco 49ers), 20 (loss to Seattle Seahawks) and 27 (loss to Kansas City Chiefs).
4. Jackson will try to rally his players and prevent them from starting the season 0-4. Since 1999, the Browns have started a season 0-4 in three seasons (1999, 2009 and 2012). Those teams finished 2-14 (1999), 5-11 (2009) and 5-11 (2012). The Browns opened 2006, 2008 and 2010 at 0-3 and then won their fourth game. Those teams also finished below .500.
5. Notable connections: This was supposed to be the week Robert Griffin III returned to Washington as the Browns’ starting quarterback, but a shoulder injury squashed that. … Browns coach Hue Jackson was an assistant in Washington from 2001-2003, and coached with current Redskins coach Jay Gruden in Cincinnati as assistants together in 2012 and 2013. …. Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon played at Mount Union. … Redskins guard Shawn Lauvao and quarterback Colt McCoy were originally drafted in the third round of 2010 NFL Draft by the Browns. … Browns defensive lineman Stephen Paea formerly played for the Redskins.