The Cleveland Browns have suffered a variety of "tough losses" this season, but the definition of that seems to change weekly. When they lost to the St. Louis Rams, it was a tough loss because they missed an opportunity against a struggling team. On Sunday, the Browns suffered a tough loss because they couldn't get things done against a slumping division rival with a chance of competing still in sight. They're generally holding or falling in most power rankings following that loss.
ESPN drops them down three spots in their Week 13 NFL power rankings:
27. The Browns have scored 21 points or more just once this season. (Walker)
It's not that they're no longer in a position to compete, but it's a lot harder, especially because the Cincinnati Bengals have been good this year, and they're a division rival. Cleveland does have the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens over the next two weeks though, so it does present another opportunity to get back in the thick of things in the AFC North.