By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
BEREA, Ohio -- Pat Shurmur dreaded his statistics class as a business major at Michigan State, trudged clear across the blustery campus to get there, and didn't really get it. 
But there's at least one statistic the Browns head coach can wrap his head around this week -- if the Browns lose to the Bills (1-1) on Sunday and fall to 0-3, they can pretty much kiss their playoff chances goodbye.
Since 1990, only three teams have started 0-3 and made the playoffs. The most recent team to achieve the feat was the Bills (1998).
"We've got to win this game," Shurmur said.
As it is, the Browns are already facing long odds. Since 1990, only 12 percent of teams starting 0-2 (22-of-184) -- have made the postseason.
"We need to do what we can to win this football game against a team that's coming off a big victory [35-17 over Kansas City]," he said. "I've got a lot of respect for Buffalo, because in my opinion they've done a lot of things to upgrade their roster in the last couple of years."
The Browns were encouraged by the performances of Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson during Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Bengals, but the harsh reality is that they're 0-2 and hitting a rough patch in their schedule.
Over the next three games -- all played without suspended cornerback Joe Haden -- they'll host the Bills and then visit the Ravens and defending Super Bowl champion Giants. If they lose Sunday, the season could slip away in a hurry.
"Right now, it's easy to just lay down your hat and be like, 'You know what? The season's over with. We don't have it,'" said linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who has two interceptions and three sacks through the first two games. "But we have a long season to go and if you can stay upbeat, things may turn around. Things may not turn around, but that's something that's out of my control."
As the defensive captain, Jackson knows its incumbent on him to help keep the young guys focused.
"I have to be the same guy every day, so young guys know -- it's tough to win in this league, and it's easy to lose in this league if you allow it," said Jackson. "My message is, 'Keep fighting, keep pushing forward, because things could change in one week.'"
Despite the dire outlook, Jackson remains hopeful.
"It's not over. We have a ton of football to play," he said. "Two games, we were in it. The next time we get in those situations we have to be able to close out."
In his six seasons with the team, the Browns have failed to make the playoffs. The Browns have made the playoffs once since 1999, losing in a wild-card game in 2002.
"To play this game, you've got to be mentally tough," he said. "Whether we win or lose, you have to be critical of yourself."
The Browns are finding life without Haden can mean big plays and wide-eyed defensive backs coming up short. The Browns on Sunday were also without starting cornerback Sheldon Brown, who sat out all but one play with a neck stinger. Shurmur inserted Brown just to keep his 162-game streak intact.
In their absence, Buster Skrine and Dimitri Patterson started, and rookie Trevin Wade played nickel back. But with Skrine surrendering passes, missing tackles and drawing a 31-yard pass interference penalty, Shurmur might tinker with the lineup.
"With Joe out, we're going to look at all options to make sure we play the right combination of guys," Shurmur said.
He attributed some of Skrine's struggles not to his size (5-9, 185), but to bad footing a few times. "I don't care how big you are you can't slip," Shurmur said. "But he's quick and he challenges."
Jackson said the loss of Brown, an 11-year pro, is underrated. Fortunately for the Browns, he should be back this week.
"There's not too many receivers that can fool him," Jackson said. "He's seen it all. He encourages younger guys on what to expect. His knowledge of the game is what we're missing the most."
Being back home to avoid the dreaded 0-3 kiss of death is key, Jackson said.
"We've just got to get over that hump," said Jackson. "And once we [do], it's like a snowball effect. We'll continue to string some wins together."
Now that would be a stat Shurmur could embrace.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/09/cleveland_browns_desperate_to.html
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