CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns 0-14 record this season sends a very depressing message to their fans and front office.

Even more alarming is what happens when the Browns face teams in their AFC North Division.

So many of those games look like Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

You watch and keep thinking, "The Browns don't have a chance." Even when it seems the game is close, it's really not.

I don't fully agree with new Browns general manager John Dorsey, who said the Browns lacked "real players."

But I do know the Browns aren't a "real team," especially when they face divisional opponents. Until the Browns add many more "real players," there's not much hope.

Meanwhile, the Browns will not win a home game this season. Their last two games are on the road.

Coach Hue Jackson apologized to the fans for lack of home wins -- only three in the last three seasons.

Then he said, "It can't get much worse than this. It can't ... but this is not OK. It's where we are right now ... we have to fix it."

THE REAL CHALLENGE

But it can't get much better until things improve in the AFC North for the Browns.

Remember that six of 16 games each season are against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

There are "real" teams in the AFC North. By "real," that means playoff teams ... or at least playoff contenders.

The Browns are 0-5 against teams in AFC North this season, being outscored 133-61.

A year ago, the Browns were 0-6 and outscored 158-87.

In the last three years, the Browns are 1-16 in the AFC North.

I'll stop before I'm flagged for piling on.

The point is, the Browns not only lose to their division rivals, they rarely are competitive.

WHERE IT STARTS

Quarterback play is a major factor.

DeShone Kizer threw two more interceptions and lost another fumble.

For those counting at home, pull out your calculator. That makes 19 interceptions and six fumbles lost for the rookie from Notre Dame.

When evaluating Kizer, the AFC North delivers a scary verdict: He tends to play his worst against teams he has faced the most.

In five division games, he has thrown six interceptions compared to only one touchdown.

That's right, ONE touchdown pass in FIVE games against the teams in the AFC North.

In this game, Kizer threw two interceptions. He fumbled and that turnover became a Baltimore touchdown.

Jackson called the game "a step back" for Kizer.

Then the coach said, "(Kizer) has played a lot of football. Not winning football..."

The coach added the 21-year-old Kizer is the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL.

"I want him to finish this (the season as starter) if we can," said Jackson.

But he made no promises about Kizer starting next week in Chicago.

THE HARSH REALITY

This division traditionally has some of the NFL's best defenses. The most points the Browns have scored in a game against a division opponent is 18 -- the opening 21-18 loss to Pittsburgh.

That's why it's a very discouraging situation for the Browns.

Kizer is not ready for the AFC North. That's often true of most rookie quarterbacks, at least those in an orange helmet.

This also begs for Dorsey to bring in a veteran quarterback next season.

In the AFC North, you find quarterbacks Joe Flacco (Baltimore), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) and Andy Dalton (Cincinnati).

Those guys anchor their teams. Dalton has the least experience, this being his seventh season with the Bengals.

Those quarterbacks tend to have big fourth quarters against the Browns.

Granted, the offense is usually a mess when facing teams in the AFC North, but the defense rarely helps the sad situation.

In 11 games facing divisional opponents, the FEWEST points they've allowed in a game over the last two years is 21.

Jackson's record is now 1-29 in his two seasons as Browns coach. He spoke for the entire Browns organization: "No way can we stomach this..."

But until the Browns to compete against teams in their division, it will just be more indigestion for the Browns and their fans.