The Cleveland Browns finished the season 1-15, their worst record ever, after losing to the PIttsburgh Steelers on Sunday. But owner Jimmy Haslam is making the right call by sticking with his current front office.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- I'm glad he said that.

That's what I kept thinking when Jimmy Haslam gave a quick state of the Cleveland Browns. The owner said he planned no changes in his management team.

Haslam had to say that. The last thing the organization needs is another nuclear option from ownership followed by a scramble to hire a general manager and/or coach.

The Browns finished the season at 1-15 after Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As coach Hue Jackson said, they "earned" what is the worst record in franchise history.

It was after last season's final game that Haslam announced the firing of general manager Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine.

That move was needed. Pettine and Farmer were the product of Haslam's shotgun football marriage. Farmer had nothing to do with the decision to hire Pettine, and the two men who barely knew each other were thrown together.

But this time, it's different.

"We feel we have the right people in place," Haslam said.

He meant vice president Sashi Brown, player personnel director Andrew Berry, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta and Jackson.

WHY STAY THE SAME?

Are they the right people?

It's too soon to know, although their first draft, followed by the 1-15 season leaves a lot of questions.

But firing them and bringing in a new front office would be the absolute wrong thing to do.

Just like adding an experienced football man who would be in charge of the draft would also create problems. That basically would make him a general manager, and most general managers want to hire their own coach.

Adding that type of senior football man also would make the coaches insecure. They'd assume the new guy was just waiting for a chance to bring in his own coach.

And that would lead to business (and turmoil) as usual with the Browns.

Jackson was smart to say he is in "lock step" with Sashi Brown.

"We're together," Jackson added. "There is no divide here. We all just need to get better."

It was Brown and Haslam who recruited and hired Jackson to coach the Browns. Haslam wanted to create a front office and head coach that came in together and must work together.

If the Browns are ever to dig out of this mess, they need to give this group time.

Haslam admitted "ownership has to take the blame" for many of the Browns problems. Haslam knows he can't make huge changes again.

He fired the front office/coaching staff he inherited in 2012.

He fired the new front office/coaching staff he hired in 2013.

He fired another front office/coaching staff after the 2015 season.

Brown, DePodesta and Berry are all finishing their rookie years in their current jobs. Jackson had been a head coach only one year before this.

They faced a steep learning curve, and some wrong turns along the road this year were inevitable.

THE BIG TEST

Haslam outlined three things the Browns now must do:

1. Keep their own players rather than lose key ones to free agency.
2. Be smart about signing the right free agents from other teams.
3. Draft well.

"We have the No. 1 pick and we have to use it wisely," said Haslam.

It appears the Browns will have four picks in the top 51.

The Browns are using analytics. I've heard many in the media and fans say it's a bad idea.

Well, the $100,000 analytics study the Browns did on the 2014 quarterback class basically red-flagged Johnny Manziel. Analytics is useful as part of an overall approach. It can help a team avoid disasters.

That's why I like analytics. I want it on the bus and seated near the front -- but not behind the wheel, making every decision.

A challenge for Brown/Jackson will be to determine how analytics fits into standard football evaluation, which is headed by Berry and his scouts.

The upcoming draft is tough.

The top two quarterbacks are supposed to be Clemson's Deshaun Watson and North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky, who is from Mentor, Ohio.

Are they really worthy of the No. 1 pick?

I have major doubts about that, and that's the first question facing the Browns.

The Browns, and the new front office, are on the draft clock. But patience is the only approach that makes any sense right now.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says he has no current plans to add to the personnel department and that 'we have the right people in place.' He also couldn't be more pleased with Hue Jackson. Watch video

PITTSBURGH, Pa. --  Browns owner Jimmy Haslam really won't be blowing anything up this year.

Despite the 1-15 season, he's keeping his analytics-based personnel department intact and said he is overjoyed with Hue Jackson.

"I think we have the right people in place,'' Haslam said in an interview after Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Steelers. "I could not be more pleased with the job that Hue and his staff are doing. You wouldn't think this was a team that was 1-14 that was out there battling. What did we play today? 70-plus minutes of football? So really pleased with Hue and really pleased with our personnel group.''

What makes him so sure he's got the right folks in place?

"It's intuitive,'' he said. "I'll just say I feel very strongly we've got the right group together and I think they're working exceptionally well together.''

Does he plan to add to a more traditional football talent evaluator to the staff, as several national reports have said he'll do? The current triumvirate consists of Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown, Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta and Vice President of Player Personnel Andrew Berry. They have the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft and likely the No. 12 overall from the Eagles, and boatloads of cap space.

"We do not (plan to add anyone),'' he said. "If we do, it will be Sashi and Paul and AB's call, but we feel good about the people we've got in place."

As for a report by CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora that Jackson will push for an experienced football guy in the front office, Haslam said, "I don't comment on reports from that reporter.''

Jackson, in the wake of reports that he's not happy with Brown, dispelled that notion.

"Let me say this and I don't want to answer any more questions about it: Me and Sashi are in lockstep trying to get this football team to be the best it is,'' he said. "We're going to get there. That's all I can tell you. We're together. We know what we're doing. We have work to do. We have to get better at what we're doing and we all understand that. This is hurtful for the whole organization, not just me.

"Sashi and Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam and Paul DePodesta and Andrew Berry too, we're all in this together. There's no divide here. We just need to get better. We'll do that.''

He added, "obviously I'm going to speak to Mr. Haslam just because that's what I do. We just need to continue to get better and stick to our plan of working through it and get to where we need to be.''

Haslam, who's had a quick hook since he took over in 2012, believes the innovative approach will pay dividends soon.

"It took us a while to get there and I'll take all the responsibility there as I've said in the past,'' he said. "I think this time last year we said this was going to be multiyear rebuilding. It is. Has this year been harder than we thought it would be?

"Yes, but I promise you this, we will work hard, I think we've got the right people in place and there's really three keys going forward. It's not that complicated.  We've got to execute and the three things we have to execute are this: No. 1 we've got re-sign our key players; No. 2 we've got to be appropriately aggressive in free agency; and No. 3 we've got to have a great draft."

Haslam was quick to blame himself for the team's woes. Since assuming ownership in October of 2012, the Browns are 19-54. Since he installed his first leadership group of CEO Joe Banner and coach Rob Chudzinski in 2013, the Browns are 15-49. They've won four games the past two seasons.

"Clearly not an acceptable year,'' he said. "Since we bought the team, just totally unacceptable performance, which as ownership we'll take the entire blame for. Very disappointing all around. This year's been disappointing, but so are the other years.''

He acknowledged it's "premature'' to grade the new front office on the 2016 draft, which included trading down from No. 2 overall and picking up an extra first-rounder from Philadelphia this year and a second-rounder next year. If the Browns draft well, they can transform the team this offseason, and Haslam's betting on his crew.

"We deferred a lot of that to this year and next year with the picks we have,'' he said. "We have five of the top 65, and people forget Jamar Taylor. What did we trade, a seventh-round pick for him in the draft last year for him? So I think it's too early to judge these classes. This team that we played today has a guy, No. 84 (Antonio Brown), that I don't think many people remember him as a rookie, so I think all of us tend to judge people real quickly off their first year and it's a huge jump from college to the NFL.''

He noted that the 2016 and 2017 drafts are designed to provide the foundation for sustained success, and that the Browns weren't expected to make a big jump this year.

"Our entire organization will be judged in how well we do going forward, by how well our decisions - it's not all draft - which players do you keep, [do we] go out and be active in free agency or not?'' he said. "There are multiple people decisions that we'll need to make and you need to get right.''

He admitted, "our record as owners is terrible, but we're not giving up. Has it been fun? No. Is it discouraging at times? Yes.  But are we gonna give up? No. We're more than ever determined to get this right. We haven't made good decisions along the way so we'll accept the blame.''

Despite the record, which is worse than anyone in the organization imagined, he sees light the at the end of the  tunnel.

"There's no question,'' he said. "The effort, you could argue that effort-wise, our effort's been tremendous all year in particular here in the last two games. We're playing a lot of young guys and I think they got better. Shon Coleman came in today and played - I haven't looked at the tape - but played a very respectable second half so yeah, I think there are bright spots, but let's be realistic we're 1-15. We've got a lot of - I don't want to sugarcoat things - we've got a ways to go."

Haslam pointed out that "the group is together less than a year. I feel very good about how well they're working together in terms of both personnel and coaches.''

As for whether or not the Browns have their QB of the future on the roster, he said, "That's a question for Sashi and a question for Hue.''

Despite the record not validating his approach, he's standing his ground.

"We've learned from our previous mistakes and it's important to have continuity but until you get the right people in place, you've got to keep making moves,'' he said. "I'm excited about working with that group going forward and (even) more determined to turn this around.''

Terrelle Pryor's untold story: from homeless in PA to Browns star receiver

Haslam understands the enormous responsibility to the fans.

"First off, it's a privilege to own an NFL team and Dee puts it really well: We really view ourselves as stewards for our great fans and we need to be a heck of a lot better stewards than we have been,'' he said. "Has it been harder than we thought? Absolutely. But we're going to do this. The enthusiasm and the loyalty and support of our fans is tremendous, and they deserve better than what we've given them and we're going to get it right.''

The Cleveland Browns delivered the worst season in franchise history. And owner Jimmy Haslam made a point of saying he can't be more pleased with the group he's put in place. Huh?

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A historically ridiculous Browns season, the absolute worst of all-time for this franchise, ended way too appropriately:

With three turnovers at the Pittsburgh goal line and a 27-24 overtime loss to an undermanned and briefly unmotivated Steelers team.

It ended with a display that might've precipitated a tanking investigation if the Browns' other 15 games hadn't been such a convincing procession of ineptitude.

It ended with owner Jimmy Haslam's remarkable claim -- despite little supporting evidence -- that he knows he has the right group in place this time.

"Very disappointing all around," Haslam said Sunday. "I do want to say this: could not be more pleased with the job that Hue and his staff are doing...really pleased with Hue and really pleased with our personnel group."

The owner who once fired Rob Chudzinski because his team failed to show improvement late in his only season no longer thinks in those terms. And he's claiming he's equally pleased with a football operations chief who this summer said he wouldn't be happy with even four wins in 2016.

It begs the question: What would have had to happen for the owner to be less pleased with those responsible for 1-15?

Maybe what Haslam meant was that the Browns played hard and that the effort reflects on Hue Jackson's coaching and Sashi Brown's drafting? Beyond that there's not much to applaud.

What he probably means to say but can't is he's done trusting his instincts after too many George Costanza moments earlier in his woeful ownership, and now has no other recourse than to trust The Plan.

He's in it deep. He went 18-39 trying to do it the traditional way (Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi). He's 1-15 in this attempt. The structure he picked can't be easily disassembled like before. So there's that.

The Browns invited the worst to happen in tearing down their roster. And the absolute worst pretty much did. They knew they'd be bad. They were worse than bad. See? Told you.

Exactly what else -- other than more high draft picks -- says they're on course isn't clear. Haslam put this hierarchy in place, bought into it as a multi-year rebuild, and then watched the organization take steps to ensure that it would become one.

They signed a reclamation project in Robert Griffin III. They let some valuable vets skip, guys who weren't on the wrong side of the calendar.

So far all we can really say is they gave many young players a lot of playing time. That can be a necessary step in a football revival, provided you pick the right talent and you find an answer at the most important of those positions, quarterback.

"We set up our draft to build for the next two years," said the owner, seemingly glossing over the 14 picks made in 2016.

Trading down is a step, a strategy. It's not a trampoline to contention.

Haslam also said it's too early to take the measure of the 2016 draft class. And he's not entirely wrong. But he wouldn't be saying that if more of them had found the spotlight.

Browns can't overcome their mistakes in OT loss to undermanned Steelers

It's not too early for some of those picks to show glimpses, to impress and tantalize. Few did.

Is there football personnel help coming in 2017 and Haslam simply didn't want to say it?

Hue Jackson refused to comment Sunday on if he planned to ask Haslam to help Sashi Brown with another traditional football voice. He said he was in "lockstep" with Brown.

"We're going to get there," he said. "We know what we're doing. It's hurtful to the whole organization (but) there is no divide here."

That's an improvement, if true. But willingness to work together is also a relatively low bar. That's hardly a game-changer.

Jackson admitted he didn't see 1-15 coming, "not in a million years." But come it did. And it came precariously close to being 0-16.

On the final day of the season, the Browns played long and hard (and so poorly at times they gave away a game they could've won.) 

Jackson thanked his key veterans for "letting me coach them" this season. That's how much he appreciated the effort.

Now Haslam says he's pleased with Jackson and Sashi Brown's front office.

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and say that can't possibly be 100 percent true.

Haslam doesn't know if this will work. He's just created so much instability in the first three seasons that he knows continuity and harmony is all he has left to sell.

2016 was a miserable season for the Browns. It's up the front office and coaches to make sure it continually gets better -- and significantly -- from here.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Andrew Hawkins, one of the few players on this Browns roster over 30 years old, knows he doesn't have many seasons left, especially seasons like this one.

"These aren't the kind of seasons you set out looking for," he said following the Browns' 27-24 loss to the Steelers. "They're mentally trying."

Still, though, Hawkins reiterated his belief in Hue Jackson's leadership.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," he said. "Sometimes things get worse before they get better."

"You're not going to have a turnaround season in one year," linebacker Christian Kirksey said. "So we've just to deal with that."

Where the Browns go from here is anyone's guess. They have a plan and it's clear. Like most plans we've seen, though, it's all still on paper.

The fact is this front office brought this 1-15 season on themselves. They failed to sign some free agents and consciously let others leave. They didn't spend money. They chose to go into this season with rookies and young players everywhere. They took a flier on Robert Griffin III at quarterback.

As Hue Jackson said, "We've earned the record of 1-15."

In fairness, this roster wasn't in any sort of great shape when the front office took over. It was a 3-13 team, after all. But it was this group that intentionally bottomed it out. It's much too early to know if it was the right or the wrong thing to do.

One thing's for sure, though: The 2016 season is mercifully in the rearview mirror.

"I think everybody's ready to move on from this season and learn from it and definitely not have this feeling again," Kirksey said.

The Browns now are free to begin their next most important offseason in franchise history. This time, though, that might not be just lip service. They will have at their disposal a ton of money and a lot of draft picks, including two in the top 12 and, most importantly, the No. 1 overall pick.

They will face free-agent decisions on wide receiver Terrelle Pryor and linebacker Jamie Collins. They will have choices to make on veteran players.

"It's not going to be easy decisions that we're going to have to make, but there will be some that we have to make to get this organization up to where it needs to be," Jackson said.

One thing is for certain: For an organization that has done nothing but redefine rock bottom since it returned in 1999, the front office of Sashi Brown, Paul DePodesta and Andrew Berry, alongside Jackson, must ensure that this season was, in fact, rock bottom.

From here on out, the arrow, as coaches like to say about young players, must point up.

Jimmy Haslam laid the plan out when he met with reporters after the game and they are all things that, at least for now, deserve a hearty shrug and, "We'll see."

"No. 1 we gotta re-sign our key players," Haslam said. "No. 2 we've got to be appropriately aggressive in free agency; and No. 3 we've gotta have a great draft."

The Browns failed massively on No. 1 last offseason, passed on No. 2 and the jury is very much still out on No. 3, though early returns don't point to great.

"We deferred a lot of that to this year and next year, right, with the picks we have," Haslam said, referring to how he would judge his new front office's first draft. And, while the Browns did pick 14 players, they twice traded out of the Top 10, costing themselves opportunities to pick potentially longterm solutions at either running back (Ezekiel Elliott) or pass rusher (Joey Bosa), and that's not even considering the idea that Carson Wentz still has room to grow into a good quarterback.

They kicked the can down the road and now they've caught back up to the can.

The painful part is over, at least this organization has to hope. Because if the Browns haven't hit rock bottom -- if this disaster of a season doesn't end up paying off -- the hole might just be too big to ever climb out.

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The Browns have four picks in the first two rounds.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft after losing to the Steelers on Sunday. Not only that, they'll have four picks in the first two rounds.

Each year, the previous season's records determine the draft order, and ties are broken by strength of schedule. The NFL determines slots 21-32 by playoff finish.

The order of the first two rounds for non-playoff teams is below (strength of schedule - SoS - played is in parentheses).

NOTE: Sunday's primetime Packers-Lions game will likely impact the strength of schedule of some teams below. This post will be updated if that is the case. 

FIRST ROUND

1. Browns 1-15 (.551)

2. 49ers 2-14 (.504)

3. Bears 3-13 (.522)

4. Jaguars 3-13 (.528)

5. Titans via trade with Rams 4-12 (.506)

6. Jets 5-11 (.516)

7. Chargers 5-11 (.528)

8. Panthers 6-10 (.518)

9. Bengals 6-9-1 (.520)

10. Bills 7-9 (.484)

11. Saints 7-9 (.513)

12. Browns via trade with Eagles 7-9 (.557)

13. Cardinals 7-8-1 (.479)

14. Eagles via trade with Vikings 8-8 (.490)

15. Colts 8-8 (.492)

16. Ravens 8-8 (.500)

17. Redskins 8-7-1 (.514)

18. Titans 9-7 (.464)

19. Buccaneers 9-7 (.492)

20. Broncos 9-7 (.539)

SECOND ROUND

33. Browns 1-15 (.551)

34. 49ers 2-14 (.504)

35. Jaguars 3-13 (.528)

36. Bears 3-13 (.522)

37. Rams 4-12 (.506)

38. Chargers 5-11 (.528)

39. Jets 5-11 (.516)

40. Panthers 6-10 (.518)

41. Bengals 6-9-1 (.520)

42. Saints 7-9 (.513)

43. Eagles 7-9 (.557)

44. Bills 7-9 (.484)

45. Cardinals 7-8-1 (.479)

46. Colts 8-8 (.492)

47. Ravens 8-8 (.500)

48. Vikings 8-8 (.490)

49. Redskins 8-7-1 (.514)

50. Buccaneers 9-7 (.492)

51. Broncos 9-7 (.539)

52. Browns via trade with Titans 9-7 (.464)

NOTE: Ties between teams with the same record will be broken by (1) strength of schedule, (2) record against common opponents, (3) coin flip.

What picks do Browns have in 2017 draft?

Robert Griffin has no idea if he'll be back, but still believes he can be the Browns franchise QB. Just in case, he thanked his teammates one-by-one after the game.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Robert Griffin III around the locker room after Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Steelers, almost as if he were saying goodbye to each one if his teammates individually.

"I just told everybody, one on one, man to man that it was a pleasure to fight with them every week,'' he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is that I feel like I can help this team win games. We didn't get it done today. But every week I was able to get better, from my personal performance and just feel like with coach Jackson and Pep Hamilton I've seen the game better than I ever had. I think that shows in the play.''

Griffin steadily improved in each of his four starts back from the fractured shoulder, and almost beat the Steelers in overtime. The Browns got to the 2 on their opening drive in OT, but got knocked back 14 yards on a swing pass and settled for a field goal. The Steelers came back and scored a TD. But Griffin completed 29 of 40 attempts for 232 yards with two TDs and an interception for a 92.9 rating.

Did he state his case well enough in the final four starts to warrant the 2017 season?

"The objective when I came back, with the broken shoulder to play, was to try to help my team have a better chance to win games,'' he said. "It didn't go so well the first go-around. For that point, it's just about getting better every day and getting better every game. When you look at it that way, not just myself, but I felt like our team got better every single week over the past four games. I'm proud to be a part of this team. I'm proud to fight with these guys. My job was to get better and I think I did that.''

RG3 on his future with the #Browns pic.twitter.com/H3n6Gnf4wL

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 2, 2017

But Griffin knew the only way to salvage his career with the Browns -- who still might move on without him -- was to come back and give it a go.

"I talked to a lot of people, a lot of mentors that I've had over the years,'' he said. "I just didn't see it in a way that if I had sat out the entire year that I could look back 10 years from now and say: because I sat out at the end of 2016, that's why I'm standing here today. I don't think I've ever heard that story.

"I've never heard that story of anyone who didn't take a chance, didn't take a risk and came away to be extremely successful. So the doctor said it was healed enough that I could have a chance to play. I felt like I owed it to my team, myself and 10 years from now, the guy standing before you guys, prayerfully, to do that.''

Under contract next year for $6 million and due a $750,000 roster bonus in March, Griffin wants a chance to come back and fulfill his mission of being the Browns' franchise QB. Hue Jackson brought him to become just that, and the fracture shoulder stymied those plans. It was supposed to be a learning year for Griffin, a springboard for 2017.

"It'd be awesome,'' he said. "This is the youngest team in the league, a lot of young guys. I was really proud of the way they fought throughout the rest of the season. Because no one in that locker room is a loser. All these guys were the man at some point in their life. It's our job to help them be the man here in the NFL.

"So I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of that growth. It's experiences together like this and have the team stay together and fight all the way to the end and never give up. That's rare. That's really rare in this league. I want to be a part of the growth process here in Cleveland.''

After sitting out all last season in Washington and 11 games this year with a shoulder, Griffin had four games to prove he can be the man.

"I dang sure would've liked to play a lot more games,'' he said. "That's for sure. But I was challenged with the injury and a lot of obstacles over the course of my career, just five years in, and I felt like coach challenged me to play better after the first game. He knew everyone knew I was coming back from three months off with a broken shoulder and still playing with a broken shoulder, but he challenged me to play better every week and I felt like I did that.''

He felt Sunday's game, including 8-of-15 third down conversions, was the best he's played "but at the end of the day the bottom line is we lost the game. I'm really not worried about stats and completion percentage and touchdowns and interceptions. I just want to win. I want to win for those guys. So I feel like I put us in a better chance to win today than I have all season and hopefully they see it the same way.''

Hue Jackson has watched Griffin improve, but the reality is, he might not be able to invest much more time and effort into grooming him as the starter. He'll be 27 next season, and the Browns are scouting rookie quarterbacks such as Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson.

"I see things to keep growing from,'' said Jackson. "I'll watch it more in detail. There were some good things today. There were things that he can improve on. Every week he went out there and got better. I still think there's another level for him to play at. We've got to evaluate and see if it's the right thing for us as we move forward.''

Griffin welcomes the opportunity to compete with a rookie if the Browns go that route.

"No doubt,'' he said. "This is best quarterback room I've ever been a part of. If the team decides to draft a quarterback, whoever's here, we'll be there for that guy. That's very rare in this league.''

Jan. 2 Bowls include Outback, Goodyear Cotton, Rose and Allstate Sugar.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2016-17 College Football Bowl season concludes with four  games Jan. 2. Then comes the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 9.

Some maintain that there are too many bowls (this season: 41). I do not. I cannot get enough of college football, in general, and even nondescript bowls can produce notable accomplishments by individual and team.

For the first time, I am picking bowl games against the spread -- entertainment purposes only, of course. It better be EPO because, for as much as I love college football, I do not pretend to be an "expert.'' Leave that to the likes of Phil Steele.

For me, college football is fun. Nothing but fun.

For 37 Bowls entering Monday, I had gone 16-21 ATS -- but at least I was 6-3 over my most recent nine. Overall, I am leaning on "favorites,'' and they are fizzling. As an addendum, what has happened to teams that I picked during their games borders on the absurd, requiring 5 hours of explanation. And don't get me started about the reports from the so-called "experts'' that I studied before making the selections.

All that said: This is a no-excuse exercise, and I am responsible for my drowning. Picking CFB Bowls ATS is every bit as difficult as Nick Camino told me it would be.

Even though this is for fun, I was so angry about the losing ways that I irrationally switched all of my picks for Dec. 28-29 one hour before post publication. All -- except one. I tried but could not get myself to come off Pitt beating Northwestern by more than 5 1/2. Of course Northwestern won outright.

Lines are from MGM Mirage via vegasinsider.com as of the afternoon before first game of group. All times Eastern:

JAN. 2

1. OUTBACK BOWL

Who: No. 17 Florida vs. Iowa

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

When: 1 p.m.

TV: ABC

DMan's pick: Florida -3.

2. GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL

Who: No. 15 Western Michigan vs. No. 8 Wisconsin

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tx.

When: 1 p.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: Western Michigan +8.

3. ROSE BOWL GAME

Who: No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

When: 5 p.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: USC -7.

4. ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL

Who: No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 7 Oklahoma

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

When: 8:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

DMan's pick: Oklahoma -3.

Western Michigan has a solid advantage at quarterback with Zach Terrell against the Wisconsin Badgers in Monday's 2017 Cotton Bowl.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Western Michigan, undefeated and nationally ranked (13-0, No. 12 Associated Press poll), carries the Mid-American Conference banner into the 2017 Cotton Bowl today against the Wisconsin Badgers (10-3). Here are four things to to keep watch for today.

1. Both teams will try to dominate the time of possession with a strong running game. Western Michigan, however, has a decidedly better passing game with quarterback Zach Terrell. He's thrown for 32 touchdowns vs. just three interceptions this season, and WR Corey Davis (91 receptions, 1,427 yards, 18 TD) might be the best talent on the field.

2. Don't get flustered if Wisconsin has a fast start. The Badgers built a 21-point early lead over Penn State in the Big Ten title game, then only had a field goal over the final three quarters in what become a loss. Western has to stick to its game plan early, then make the right halftime adjustments to close the game out.

3. Turnovers are big for both teams, with Wisconsin being on a major roll. The Badgers have forced 13 takeaways in their last four games. WMU is also on the plus side this season. DB Darius Phillips is a big-play guy who has returned three of his four interceptions for touchdowns.

4. Western Michigan, particularly late in the season, has been strong in special teams. FG kicker Butch Hampton made four clutch field goals in the MAC title game and the Broncos needed each one. Also, Phillips is a game-breaker in the return game and has a pair of touchdown returns this season.

GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC

Who: Western Michigan (13-0, 8-0) vs. Wisconsin (10-3, 7-2, Big Ten)
When: Monday, 1 p.m.
Where: Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
Skinny: Western Michigan is one of two undefeated FBS programs this season and has the second-longest winning streak in the nation (15 games).

Western Michigan is 13-0 for the first time and will be going to its first New Year's bowl appearance, as the program is bowl eligible for the third consecutive year. The Broncos earned the program's first bowl victory last year with a 45-31 win over Middle Tennessee in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.

The Broncos picked up where they left off this season and already own two victories over Big Ten opponents, led by the QB-WR tandem of Zach Terrell and Corey Davis.

Wisconsin will be the third Big Ten opponent and undoubtedly the toughest. The Badgers are led by coach Paul Chryst, who is the brother of former MAC commissioner Rick Chryst. Run defense is Western Michigan's defensive forte, and that will be seriously tested by the Badgers, who historically have one of the top rushing offensive power games in the country.

Wisconsin's three losses were all to Top 10 teams -- No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Michigan and No. 7 Penn State.

The Cleveland Browns finished 1-15 and as coach Hue Jackson said, they "earned" the record.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Browns notebook after their 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday:

1. The Browns finished the season at 1-15, and they "earned" the record. Those are the words of Hue Jackson. I can second-guess the Browns coach about some play calls and a few other things. But that's like complaining about the paint job and a few dents in the bumper of a scooter -- when that scooter is supposed to win a race against a Corvette.

2. The Browns played extremely hard. They really did want to win this game. Yet, they lost in overtime to mostly backups for the Steelers. As Jackson said, the players "fight hard, but don't fight smart all the time."

3. The Browns threw a short pass that LOST 14 yards to Andrew Hawkins. That took the Browns from the Pittsburgh 2-yard line to the Pittsburgh 16-yard line ... in overtime. Yikes! The Browns had the ball on the Pittsburgh 2-yard line. First down. They threw an incomplete pass. They threw another pass, this one for minus-14. Why not run it at least once in those first two plays? Isaiah Crowell (152 yards rushing) had a strong game on the ground.

4. That said, Crowell lost a fumble on the Pittsburgh 3-yard line in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, give him the ball. He is not a player prone to fumbling. He has fumbled only five times (counting Sunday) in three seasons.

5. Jackson said he never thought "in a million years" the Browns would be 1-15. I remember two former Browns coaches telling me, "I always knew it was hard to win an NFL game, but I never knew how hard it was to win an NFL game until I came to Cleveland."

6. I'm just so thankful this season is over, and that the NFL did not expand its schedule to 18 regular season games. That was considered at one point. Talk about agony, 18 games for this Browns team? Put them on the clock for the NFL draft, please!

7. Owner Jimmy Haslam gave his front office/Jackson combination the vote of confidence after Sunday's game. He said the only addition to the football front office would be someone brought in by V.P. Sashi Brown & Co., not someone to take over. Nor do I want Jackson having a major say in all the draft picks. Very few head coaches also can run a draft.

8. That said, Jackson must not only be on the same page, but also in the same sentence with the front office on the players they take in the first few rounds. That will be one of Haslam's jobs, making sure everyone is sticking together. A 1-15 record makes it easy for factions to form.

9. One of Sashi Brown's strengths is keeping people working together. That seemed to be the case this season. Notice how there were no real reports of big divisions. And notice how there were very few discipline problems with the players. And notice how so many veteran players made a point of praising Jackson, even when not asked their opinion of the coach.

10. So in the area of stabilizing the organization, progress was made. Now, they must supersize the talent.

11. The Browns might have a legitimate tight end prospect in Seth DeValve, the fourth-round pick from Princeton. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder had some injuries in training camp and early in the season. He caught a 25-yard TD pass from Cody Kessler in a November 10 loss in Baltimore. He caught another TD pass Sunday, this one from Robert Griffin III.

12 . DeValve has not played a lot. He is behind Gary Barnidge, and neither tight end is much of a blocker. DeValve has caught 10 passes this season. He seems to have very good hands and a knack for getting open. He also made a tackle on special teams. He's one of those big tight ends who is quicker than most defenders imagine.

13. George Atklinson III has been in the NFL for two years. Right before the season, the Browns claimed Atkinson on waivers. They wanted him to be a return man. He averaged 17.1 yards on eight kickoff returns. He lost his job. He was a rookie with Oakland last season, and never carried the ball as a running back. Same with the Browns this season, until Sunday.

14. Atkinson gained a respectable 34 yards in seven carries, a 4.9 average. He filled in for Duke Johnson, who has been bothered by a bad ankle. Johnson had one carry for four yards. Then Atkinson took over as the backup to Isaiah Crowell. The Notre Dame product had some nice moments. In college, Atkinson rushed for 943 yards in 153 carries. That's a 6.2 average over three seasons. He was primarily a return man and a backup running back for the Irish.

15. This was the best game of the season for Griffin, who was 29-of-40 passing for 232 yards. He threw two TDs and had one interception. He was sacked four times, but didn't take his usual physical beating. The asterisk is that he was facing a Steeler defense with several backups. But Griffin showed improved play over the last two games.

16. Where does Griffin fit into the plans? The last two games may have the Browns considering his return as a veteran to open 2017. His presence would  give time to a rookie quarterback yet to be drafted. Or maybe they will do something else in terms of finding a veteran, but they need one -- regardless of what they do in the draft. I'd love to know what Jackson really thinks of Griffin.

17. Cameron Erving gave up at least one sack, but I thought he looked more comfortable at right tackle than he did at center. The Browns started him at that spot Sunday. I'd be curious to know what the coaches think after they grade the tape. Erving left the game in the fourth quarter with what could be a knee injury. The Browns plan to update his condition Monday.

18. Anthony Fabiano played his first NFL game, starting at center. The undrafted rookie from Harvard had an up-and-down day. He snapped the ball over the head of Griffin, leading to a fumble, that set up a Pittsburgh touchdown. He also allowed at least one sack. He did seem to have the offensive line organized. As is the case with Erving, it would interesting to know how the coaches viewed his performance after they grade the tape.

19. I'm still stunned by Briean Boddy-Calhoun making an excellent interception, running it back 67 yards ... and then leaping toward the goal line ... only to have the ball knocked out of his hands about 2 feet from the end zone. The ball rolled into the end zone and was recovered by the Steelers. That gave the ball to the Steelers on their on 20-yard line. I don't think I've ever seen a play like that.

20. When Cody Parkey missed the 49-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, it did cost the Browns the game. Parkey was 3-of-6 kicking field goals in his first game with the Browns. Then he was 16-of-17 before being 1-of-2 Sunday. He does show promise as a kicker, but I confess to still missing Phil Dawson.

See signature plays from the first month of the high school boys basketball season in Northeast Ohio, courtesy of Pete Nance, Marreon Jackson, Jerry Higgins, Dwayne Cohill, Sincere Carry, Jayvon Gr...

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Before you Eurostep into 2017, pause and reflect on the first month of the boys basketball season — which came in 2016 — with cleveland.com’s top plays of December.

All plays below were either captured by cleveland.com or submitted by boys basketball teams in Northeast Ohio. Watch the highlight reel above, read the descriptions listed below in order of appearance and vote in the poll to the right.

Readers are encouraged to submit their top play nominations via email to mgoul@cleveland.com.

Now, here are some of December’s best:

Ben Geschke, Medina: His winning 3-pointer against Maple Heights is one reason the Bees are rolling into 2017 with a perfect record.

Gwarren “Tree” Douglas, Shaw: Submitted by coach Harold Rasul, Warren cleans up a baseline jumper by slamming one down.

Alejandro Cummings-Washington, Shaw: Also submitted, Cummings-Washington is the beneficiary of a teammate splitting the defense to set him up on a ferocious dunk.

Ronnie James, Chris Jefferson and Landon Robinson, Benedictine: This is a group effort started by Ronnie James’ steal to set up Landon Robinson’s dunk. Chris Jefferson, who had the assist on the play, follows with a steal and another score. This highlight came courtesy of Benedictine senior Preston Smith.

Austen Yarian, St. Ignatius: Alone on a breakaway, Yarian ignited the Wildcats for their 72-68 win on New Year’s Eve against St. Vincent-St. Mary. Senior guard Michael Spear set up Yarian on this play.

Marreon Jackson, Garfield Heights: The senior point guard, who is committed to Toledo, has two plays as part of this highlight reel. First, he drew contact and scored on the way to a career-high 42 points against Westerville South. Later in the month, Jackson flashed his ball handling to set up Shawn Christian on a 3-pointer vs. Brecksville.

Samson Albert to Pete Nance, Revere: Nance had a handful of dunks against John Hay during the Play By Play Classic at Garfield Heights. This one came courtesy of Albert.

Danny McGarry, Villa Angela-St. Joseph: A long over the shoulder pass from Andre George set up McGarry during a close loss to Benedictine.

Jerry Higgins, VASJ: In his return, Higgins showed his ankle injury couldn’t stop him from creating turnovers and pick-pocketing opposing ball handlers.

Marlon Moore, Benedictine: Against VASJ, Moore benefited from Chris Jefferson’s quick reaction and Devon Fox’s feed for a slam during the Bengals’ big second half.

Ja’Vonte Richardson and Marcus Kimmie to Fonse Hale, Maple Heights: Richardon’s steal and baseline acrobatics allowed Kimmie to push the ball and set up Hale on one of his patented pull-up jumpers.

David Gulley, Solon: A junior guard, Gulley’s Eurostep at Brunswick highlighted the holiday stretch.

Tyree Harris, Maple Heights: A senior wing, Harris pushed Maple Heights in the second half of a close loss at Medina.

Dwayne Cohill, Holy Name: Cohill erupted in the Green Wave season opener against Great Lakes Conference rival Bay. These two plays are a sample.

Emmett Chambers, St. Edward: Chambers set himself up by using his 6-foot-7 frame to steal and inbounds pass, score and draw the foul against Cornerstone Christian.

Sincere Carry, Solon: A junior point guard, Carry returned from a knee injury and has guided the Comets to a 6-1 start.

Jayvon Graves, St. Vincent-St. Mary: Graves has a few plays that made the cut, including a setup and dunk at the LeBron James Classic. The senior guard is headed to Buffalo after high school.

Luke Wiskes, St. Ignatius: A junior wing, Wiskes’ slam-dunk putback helped spark the Wildcats’ win vs. STVM.

Yahel Hill, Cleveland Heights: The junior point guard, who has received interest from many mid-major colleges, showed in his clip why he is one of the area’s top ballhanlders.

Tyler Williams, Brush: A junior forward, Williams’ putback served as the winner against Middletown at the LeBron James Classic. Brush is 8-1.

Andre Harris, Brush: Submitted by coach Chet Mason, the sophomore rose up and drew the foul at Bedford. The 6-3 guard already has an offer from Kent State.

Trevor Mackey, Brunswick: Father and coach Joe Mackey said his freshman is on the varsity roster for one reason — to knock down shots as a specialist. Trevor Mackey is a regular on the freshman team, but he won one for the varsity against Walsh Jesuit at the LeBron James Classic.

Also, don't forget to subscribe to cleveland.com's YouTube page to see more videos like this.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indians have set a world-title standard for 2017. The Cleveland Browns would just like to win multiple games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers and Indians have set quite the standard for Cleveland pro sports in 2017:

Anything less than a world championship is unacceptable.

The rebuilding Browns...not so much. But they are working it.

In June 2016, the Cavs won the NBA title to cap a glorious 2015-16 season. In case you have not heard, it was the city's first championship in a major pro sport in 52 years.

In November 2016, the Indians reached the World Series -- the franchise's first since 1997 -- but lost in seven games to the mighty Chicago Cubs. The sting was palpable given that the Tribe had led the Series, 3-1. Tribe ownership and front office showed how serious it is about returning when, in December, it signed slugger Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million contract with $65 million guaranteed over four years.

It got me to thinking: Which is the most likely event in Cleveland sports in 2017?

A. Cavs win second straight title. B. Indians win World Series. C. Browns win 4+ games.

However, I quickly realized that the answer overwhelmingly would be -- should be -- Cavs winning a second straight title. As long as LeBron James is healthy, the Cavs should get the benefit of the doubt among those three options, even with loaded Golden State presumably lurking in the Western Conference.

(Be honest: Are you really going to bank on the Browns winning four or more games?)

So I pivoted and asked something different -- an espresso with a lemon twist, so to speak.

The Cleveland Browns finished 1-15. The 15th loss, Sunday in Pittsburgh, was not quarterback Robert Griffin III's fault.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- OneUp Sports called to ask about my grade for quarterback Robert Griffin III in the Cleveland Browns' 27-24 overtime loss to the Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh, Pa.

I gave Griffin a B+. I thought he played well, on balance. He threw a costly interception but ultimately put his team in position to win. He deserved to walk out of Heinz Field a winner.

Complete QB Report, Game 16

OneUp and I also talked about receiver Terrelle Pryor, a bright spot in the Browns' 1-15 season.

"Any of that trust I kind of built up in the spring, I'm going to have to try and earn back again now." Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Sean Nuernberger was kicking field goals a few days before fall camp opened when he felt the pop. 

That's how Ohio State got to this place. 

Though Nuernberger is the scholarship kicker on Ohio State's roster, Urban Meyer had to turn to walk-on Tyler Durbin to handle the kicking all year. 

When Durbin finished the season having made only one of his final five attempts, you may have asked why Ohio State is playing the walk-on kicker and not the one on scholarship.  

Because of that pop. 

"It was really bad timing for me," Nuernberger told cleveland.com. "I thought it was something little that would just go away, and it just didn't. I kept trying to come back in camp and really couldn't." 

Nuernberger said the key to rehabbing a strain is time, but by the time he started to feel better, Durbin was in a groove. Aside from the blocked field goal Penn State returned for a touchdown in October, Durbin made all 16 of his attempts heading into the Michigan game. 

Durbin was feeling it. Even if Nuernberger were healthy, Meyer wasn't going to make a change. 

"Even when I was coming back and starting to get healthy, why would you try something different if he has made every kick?" Nuernberger said. "I felt the same way. Tyler was doing that well, so for me, I was kind of just looking forward to being ready just in case something happened to him."

Nothing disastrous happened to Ohio State because of the kicking game.

Though Durbin missed a chip-shot that could have cost his team the Michigan game, he made one that mattered to force overtime. Ohio State won. 

Durbin missed two field goals in the first half of the Buckeyes loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Saturday, but it's hard to imagine those made a huge difference. The final score was 31-0. 

Still, this isn't how it's supposed to work. 

Ohio State has a limited number of scholarships and Meyer has said multiple times that every single one is important. If he's going to use one on a kicker like Nuernberger, he has to be the team's kicker. 

"I had the best offseason I ever had last offseason and kicked really well in the spring, only missed a few kicks," Nuernberger said. "I was really killing it and was feeling great coming into the season, which is why it was such a bad time, really.

"I was really confident and felt really good to have my best year. And now that I haven't kicked for the team in that long, I'm really going to have to come into this offseason and do the same thing. Any of that trust I kind of built up in the spring, I'm going to have to try and earn back again now."

As a sophomore in 2015, Nuernberger only attempted four field goals because he was splitting time with senior transfer Jack Willoughby, so it's clear he hasn't had the prototypical career for a college kicker. 

But Durbin was a senior, so he's gone now. 

That means Ohio State needs Nuernberger to get healthy. And perform. 

"I don't think there's been a day where I went out full at 100 percent, so I think subconsciously I'm still a little lacking a little," Nuernberger said. "It's been a long process, but it's going really well now and I'm happy with where everything is.

"I should be ready to go by the spring to compete for my spot." 

The Browns wrapped up their season on Sunday. Here are some final observations.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Browns lost to the Steelers on Sunday at Heinz Field, 27-24, in overtime. Outcomes of games have long been a moot point -- unless you're tracking draft position -- but here are 15 final thoughts -- one for each loss -- written Sunday night before I hit the road for the drive home (with a nod to any number of local scribes for using the numbered-list format).

1. Remember this right tackle dilemma as you consider whether or not the Browns should re-sign key free agents. The Browns had a young right tackle in the fold -- a guy who played every game during his four years with the team. They let Mitchell Schwartz walk in free agency, though. They ended this season giving a shot to Cam Erving and then to rookie Shon Coleman and the position is just as unsettled as it was last offseason.

2. I bring this up because it's the ultimate case of chasing your tail. A team with gaping holes elsewhere on the roster can ill afford to create more of them. Losing a talent like Schwartz for no good reason means that, on top of every other need, now you're chasing a replacement for a player who appeared to want to stay. You can't just flippantly let good young players leave.

3. Which brings me to Terrelle Pryor. He hit 1,000 yards receiving on Sunday, which is not insignificant. I know there's an argument to be made that somebody has to get yards on a team, even if it's a bad one, but I just don't think it's fair to shrug off the accomplishment. Consider the following:

• Pryor was a quarterback two years ago and, since the Browns cut him the week before the season started, he spent almost no time during the 2015 learning to play wide receiver within the structure of an NFL team.
• It didn't take long for teams to begin making him the focal point of their defense and he received almost no support from the rest of the receivers on the roster.
• He played the final two-and-a-half games of the season with a right middle finger that, after he initially hurt it in Buffalo, he needed help from the training staff to unbend.
• He had zero stability at quarterback.

4. Pryor has his flaws, there's no doubt. But you can't just find size like that combined with his ability floating around out there. I think he's worth the investment.

5. It's also why overpaying for a player like Jamie Collins might be necessary. Collins, just like Pryor, has flaws. When I sat down and watched every play he played for New England before the trade, I saw a guy who sometimes tackled high and missed -- he did just that on a touchdown pass on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

6. You know what else I saw? An athletic linebacker that can get into the backfield, make plays on the football and was almost immediately the Browns best or second-best player on defense the day he put on the uniform. How big an overpay is justified? I'm not sure. But, again, you can't just flippantly let a skilled 27-year-old linebacker walk.

7. Carl Nassib picked up a cheap sack on Sunday. It came when Steelers quarterback Landry Jones tripped over a lineman and Nassib was in the right place at the right time and touched him down. He's near the top of my list of players I hope will benefit from his first offseason in the NFL.

8. The flip side of Nassib fading after a strong start is Emmanuel Ogbah. His play is encouraging and the Browns coaching staff abandoning their plan to convert him to outside linebacker and just let him operate from his more comfortable defensive end position equally as encouraging. He has the physical tools to be a dominant pass rusher.

9. Briean Boddy-Calhoun has made some plays this year. He's also been beaten on a lot of plays. I don't know what type of player he can become, but I do think he's worth a longer look.

10. The shrewdest move the Browns front office made might have been trading for Jamar Taylor. They gave up a seventh round pick for a player who just signed on for a few more seasons and looks like he can be a part of a competitive secondary.

11. Joe Haden is a popular whipping boy on Twitter and in our comments as and I certainly won't make the case that he's worth the money the Browns are paying him. That being said, remember that whole chasing your tail thing? (It is in the headline, after all.) Haden might not be a No. 1 corner, but, if he's healthy, he can still play. Proceed moving or cutting him at your own risk.

12. The most frustrating part of this season -- well, there are a lot, but one of them -- is the fact that we don't know anything about the four wide receivers drafted. Corey Coleman got hurt early and, like Pryor, deserves a little bit of a pass due to the quarterback situation. He did drop the ball more than I would prefer, though.

13. The other three -- Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton -- well, Louis caught two passes on Sunday and it was surprising, Higgins couldn't get on the field consistently and Payton was suspended the final four games of the season.

14. This was the second straight season the Browns ended against the Steelers. It always feels like such a missed opportunity to see these games mean nothing. Divisional games are supposed to be fun -- they're supposed to be highly-anticipated. It's always sad when they just aren't, as so many have been for the Browns.

15. Lastly, and maybe I should have put this first, but thanks to everyone who followed along with me this season, whether you enjoyed my work, hated my work or shrugged and scrolled past my byline.

This season, I received many kind words, stumbled across one reader who emails me on a regular basis to remind me I can't write and even had someone offer me wardrobe advice.

I'm still a work in progress, but I think I got some solid reps this season and hope to continue to grow, especially as we go through the draft season. (Also, now that I've buttered you up, feel free to give those follow links a click down there if you want.)

-----

Follow me: on Twitter | on Facebook

Cameron Erving switched from center to right tackle for the Browns' final game. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cameron Erving started at right tackle Sunday against the Steelers. That was a change from his previous 12 starts this season, which were all at center.

Erving has been a polarizing figure along the Browns offensive line this season. Hue Jackson has said Erving is part of the future, but the former first-round pick was taken out of Sunday's game in the third quarter.

Check out the video at the top of this post as cleveland.com Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe discuss Erving's performance and what it means for his future with the team. 

LeBron James and the Cavs host Anthony Davis and the Pelicans Monday at 7 p.m. Kyrie Irving may or may not play.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs (25-7) host the New Orleans Pelicans (14-21) at 7 p.m. tonight.

Last meeting: This is the two teams' first meeting this season. They split their home-and-home series in 2015-16.

What's up with the Cavs: Kyrie Irving may or may not play. After Jordan McRae's 20-point outburst against Charlotte (hey, Kay Felder added 13 in that game), the Cavs are gonna give Irving alllllll the time he needs with this hamstring issue. Not to mention, Cleveland is already the league's best home team (17-2). The Cavs are also averaging 110.9 points per game over all, which is third in the NBA, and have scored more than 120 points in consecutive games. LeBron James' next field goal will move him past Dominique Wilkins (9,963 career baskets) for 14th in NBA history. James has scored at least 32 points in five of his last seven games against the Pelicans.

Cavs injuries: Kyrie Irving (right hamstring tightness) and Mike Dunleavy (right ankle sprain) are to be determined; J.R. Smith (right thumb surgery) and Chris Andersen (torn right ACL) are out.

What's up with the Pelicans: They're coming in hot (after a terrible start), winners of four straight and five of six. Anthony Davis has been dominant. He's second in the NBA in scoring, seventh in rebounds, and leads the league with 2.6 blocks per game. The Pelicans are second in the league with 5.9 blocks per night -- Davis is obviously a huge reason why. He's also registered 17 games with at least 30 points and four with 40 or more points. New Orleans has outscored opponents 66-14 on fast-break points over its last three games.

Pelicans injuries: Quincy Pondexter (left knee) is out.

Probable starters:

Cavs

F LeBron James (25.6 ppg; 7.9 rpg; 8.7 apg)

F Kevin Love (22.2 ppg; 10.9 rpg; 1.7 apg)

C Tristan Thompson (7.3 ppg; 10.0 rpg; 0.8 apg)

G DeAndre Liggins (3.0 ppg; 1.8 rpg; 1.2 apg)

G Jordan McRae (4.7 ppg; 1.3 rpg; 0.7 apg)

Pelicans

F Solomon Hill (5.8 ppg; 3.7 rpg; 1.8 apg)

F Dante Cunningham (5.9 ppg; 4.1 rpg; 0.7)

C Anthony Davis (29.2 ppg; 11.6 rpg; 2.2 apg)

G Buddy Heild (8.6 ppg; 2.5 rpg; 1.2 apg)

Cleveland sports fans wonder about whether the Browns are directionally correct and what kind of year offensive lineman Cam Erving really had in 2016.

More changes could be in store with the Scholastic Play By Play Classic looming Sunday at Baldwin Wallace.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – St. Ignatius’ win on New Year’s Eve against St. Vincent-St. Mary is just one of many matchups that led to changes in the first cleveland.com boys basketball rankings for 2017.

The Wildcats beat STVM, which ended 2016 ranked second behind St. Edward.

RELATED: Top plays of December.

What does that mean for the Top 25. Read below and find out.

1. St. Edward (7-1)

Where they stand: It took San Diego’s preseason No. 1 to hand the Eagles their first loss. They return to Ohio have a 3-1 finish in California as senior guard Tommy Schmock earned all-tournament team honors.

Last week: Ranked No. 1. Beat St. Frances (Md.), 77-56, on Dec. 27. Beat Torrey Pines, 73-44, on Dec. 28. Lost to Foothills Christian, 81-69, on Dec. 29. Beat Redemption Christian Academy, 83-79, on Dec. 30.

This week: Friday at St. Vincent-St. Mary, Saturday at Benedictine, Sunday vs. Brunswick at Baldwin Wallace.

Here's how our trophy got back to Ctown from the @UA_HdayClassic ! #edsup pic.twitter.com/dPbYtsCzMO

— Eric Flannery (@CoachFlan) December 31, 2016

2. Lorain (5-1)

Where they stand: After winning their holiday classic in Sandusky, tests from two Top 25 teams await this week for the Titans.

Last week: Ranked No. 3. Beat Elyria, 61-58, on Dec. 27. Beat Oberlin, 94-70, on Dec. 28.

This week: Tuesday vs. Garfield Heights, Friday vs. Maple Heights.

3. Cleveland Heights (5-2)

Where they stand: Junior guard Keith Jackson enjoyed a breakout game in the Tigers’ only matchup during the holiday break. Their next game will be just the second in three weeks.

Last week: Ranked No. 4. Beat New Day Academy, 92-49.

This week: Friday at Shaw, Sunday vs. Warren Harding at Baldwin Wallace.

4. Garfield Heights (8-1)

Where they stand: Euclid gave Garfield Heights quite the push, but the Bulldogs have won four straight and are one of the area’s hotter teams thanks to a convincing win against Brecksville.

Last week: Ranked No. 6. Beat Brecksville, 63-36, on Dec. 29. Beat Euclid, 88-85, on Dec. 29.

This week: Tuesday at Lorain, Sunday vs. Revere at Baldwin Wallace.

5. St. Ignatius (5-3)

Where they stand: St. Ignatius might have dipped in the rankings had there not been a week layoff for the holidays. Wins against Warren Harding and St. Vincent-St. Mary changed that.

Last week: Ranked No. 5. Beat Warren Harding, 64-61, on Dec. 27. Beat STVM, 72-68, on Dec. 31.

This week: Friday vs. Canton GlenOak.

6. St. Vincent-St. Mary (4-3)

Where they stand: Back-to-back losses have STVM reeling into the new year, but they have been close and to tough competition.

Last week: Ranked No. 2. Beat Mansfield Senior, 85-49, on Dec. 27. Lost to Detroit Jesuit, 55-49, on Dec. 29. Lost to St. Ignatius, 72-68, on Dec. 31.

This week: Friday vs. St. Edward, Sunday vs. Euclid at Baldwin Wallace.

7. Mentor (5-0)

Where they stand: Only Brunswick has kept within eight points of the Cardinals. They have scored at least 87 points in their last four victories, setting a pace coach Bob Krizancic said last week is vital for his team’s success.

Last week: Ranked No. 8. Beat Barberton, 87-69, on Dec. 28. Beat Bay, 91-70, on Dec. 29.

This week: Tuesday vs. Solon, Friday at Elyria, Sunday vs. Canton McKinley at Baldwin Wallace.

8. Medina (9-0)

Where they stand: Along with Mentor, the Bees are one of the Greater Cleveland Conference favorites. This is another team that can turn up the offense. Led by a trio of senior guards, Luke Schaefer, Ben Geschke and Jackson Sartain, Medina has reached 80 points in six of its games and twice broke the century mark.

Last week: Ranked No. 9. Beat Alcott, 93-63, on Dec. 28. Beat Christ the King, 109-69, on Dec. 30.

This week: Tuesday at Brunswick, Friday vs. Shaker Heights.

9. Archbishop Hoban (6-1)

Where they stand: Junior guards Collen Gurley and Garrett Houser continue to push Hoban’s offense. The Knights have won six straight.

Last week: Ranked No. 11. Beat Columbus Bishop Ready, 65-33, on Dec. 30.

This week: Tuesday vs. Firestone, Friday vs. Walsh Jesuit.

10. Benedictine (6-1)

Where they stand: Another surging team, the Bengals have won five straight since their two-point loss to Hoban on Dec. 16. Senior forward Marlon Moore is back in the lineup after an ankle injury, and the guards are leading the charge. Wins against Holy Name and Villa Angela-St. Joseph in late December have showed this team’s resolve.

Last week: Ranked No. 12. Beat VASJ, 66-63, on Dec. 27.

This week: Friday at Padua, Saturday vs. St. Edward.

11. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (4-2)

Where they stand: Jerry Higgins’ return against the Bengals was a welcomed sight for a team with Friday’s looming ESPN-televised game vs. La Lumiere.

Last week: Ranked No. 7. Lost to Benedictine, 66-63, on Dec. 27. Beat Richmond Heights, 76-46, on Dec. 30.

This week: Friday vs. La Lumiere (Ind.) in Wheeling, W.Va.

12. Cornerstone Christian (7-3)

Where they stand: The Patriots scored a number of impressive wins in December, including Division IV-rival Lutheran East and Division III regional contender Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas. They have won five of six since a tough test against No. 1 St. Edward.

Last week: Ranked No. 13. Beat Killian, 68-54, on Dec. 28. Lost to Champagnat, 61-58, on Dec. 29. Beat Ferguson, 83-70, on Dec. 30.

This week: Wednesday at University School.

13. Maple Heights (7-1)

Where they stand: A loss at the buzzer to Medina is all that keeps Maple Heights from an unbeaten record. They draw Lorain at home Friday in a critical Lake Erie League showdown.

Last week: Ranked No. 15. Beat Mayfield, 67-63, on Dec. 27.

This week: Friday at Lorain.

14. Brecksville (5-1)

Where they stand: The bad news is the Bees could not keep up with hot-shooting Garfield Heights at the Play By Play Classic. The good news is the experience should only help them in the Suburban League.

Last week: Ranked No. 10. Lost to Garfield Heights, 63-36, on Dec. 27.

This week: Tuesday at North Royalton, Friday vs. Wadsworth.

15. Holy Name (5-1)

Where they stand: The Green Wave bounced back from their loss to Benedictine with a convincing effort against Highland at the North Royalton holiday tournament.

Last week: Ranked No. 14. Beat Highland, 85-50, on Dec. 29. Beat North Royalton, 66-65, on Dec. 30.

This week: Tuesday at Trinity, Friday vs. Parma, Sunday vs. Brush at Baldwin Wallace.

16. Solon (6-1)

Where they stand: The Comets beat two teams that were ranked when they visited Brunswick and played host to Stow. Coach Tony DeCesare’s squad has won four straight and has some of the swagger from last season’s regional run.

Last week: Ranked No. 21. Beat Stow, 72-69, on Dec. 28.

This week: Tuesday at Mentor, Friday vs. Strongsville.

17. Ellet (7-1)

Where they stand: The win at Uniontown Lake was a bounce-back performance from an 81-76 upset loss to Wadsworth.

Last week: Ranked No. 16. Beat Uniontown Lake, 57-53, on Dec. 27.

This week: Friday vs. Firestone.

18. Central Catholic (4-3)

Where they stand: At full strength, the Ironmen have won four straight. Miryne Thomas’ 29-point effort at Lake Catholic was vital to a 58-49 win — Central Catholic’s only single-digit victory in this four-game stretch.

Last week: Ranked No. 17. Beat Toledo Central Catholic, 71-42, Dec. 27. Beat Lake Catholic, 58-49, on Dec. 30.

This week: Friday vs. Warren JFK, Sunday vs. Shaker Heights at Baldwin Wallace.

19. Copley (6-0)

Where they stand: Didn’t the Indians graduate the majority of their lineup from last season’s 22-0 regular season? Coach Mark Dente’s squad has picked up the scoring pace in the last two weeks.

Last week: Ranked No. 23. Beat Firestone, 92-86, on Dec. 29.

This week: Tuesday at Highland, Friday vs. Aurora.

20. Lutheran East (4-3)

Where they stand: The Falcons have not played since Dec. 18 and are looking to shake a two-game skid. Their Dec. 29 game vs. Rhodes was postponed.

Last week: Ranked No. 18. Idle.

This week: Tuesday at Collinwood, Friday at Lutheran West.

21. Bay (6-3)

Where they stand: A 21-point loss at Mentor is a setback, but it shouldn’t cost the Rockets when Division II teams vote on seeding in their district. The pace has stalled a bit for Bay, which entered the season with aspirations of scoring in the 80s with regularity. The Rockets did it last year, but haven’t reached 80 since the first two games.

Last week: Ranked No. 19. Beat Columbia, 69-58, on Dec. 27. Lost to Mentor, 91-70, on Dec. 29.

This week: Friday at Valley Forge.

22. Stow (4-2)

Where they stand: The Bulldogs suffered consecutive losses, but are still in prime position to challenge in the Suburban League.

Last week: Ranked No. 20. Lost to Solon, 72-69, on Dec. 28.

This week: Tuesday at Hudson, Friday vs. Cuyahoga Falls.

23. Glenville (9-2)

Where they stand: Glenville and MLK currently lead the Senate League standings with John Hay and East Tech both a game behind.

Last week: Ranked No. 25. Beat Euclid, 68-47, on Dec. 27.

This week: Idle.

24. Brush (7-1)

Where they stand: An intriguing matchup awaits Brush on Sunday at Baldwin Wallace for the Play By Play Classic. It comes amid a Western Reserve Conference stretch that just included an impressive victory vs. Willoughby South. Co-WRC frontrunner Madison, currently 6-0, looms for a Jan. 20 matchup that will be telling for both teams.

Last week: Not ranked. Beat Willoughby South, 68-56.

This week: Friday at Riverside, Sunday vs. Holy Name at Baldwin Wallace.

25. Olmsted Falls (6-1)

Where they stand: The Bulldogs’ lone loss came to Reynoldsburg, another 7-1 team. Its only setback came against unbeaten Newark. Senior guard Josh Goodwin and emerging sophomore Eric Hanna have led the way for this Southwestern Conference frontrunner.

Last week: Not ranked. Lost to Reynoldsburg, 65-42, on Dec. 29. Beat Toledo Woodward, 72-39, on Dec. 30.

This week: Friday vs. Berea-Midpark.

DROPPED OUT

Highland (6-2, was No. 22), Brunswick (6-3, was No. 24).

IN CONTENTION

Avon (4-0), Berea-Midpark (4-1), Elyria (6-2).

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Sixteen Browns rookies were active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Browns are trying to identify the core of the team this season. That will mean the development of young players, including the 19 rookies on the active roster.

Sixteen of them were active for Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Steelers.

How did they do? Check out the rookie tracker below, which explains how each rookie performed on Sunday.

ROOKIES

Dominique Alexander, LB: Was active but did not play.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB: Had three tackles, an interception and two passes defensed in 46 snaps on defense. He allowed 106 yards receiving on 11 targets and two TDs, according to Profootballfocus.com.

Corey Coleman, WR: Started and had five catches (nine targets) for 40 yards. He also had one rush for nine yards. 

Shon Coleman, OL: Played 38 snaps at right tackle and briefly left the game with an injury. He was the second-highest rated offensive player for the Browns (behind Joe Thomas), according to Profootballfocus.com. He led the team with an 84.5 run blocking grade.

Seth DeValve, TE: Caught a 12-yard touchdown pass (his only target of the game) in 10 snaps on offense. 

Spencer Drango, OL: Started at left guard and played all 78 snaps on offense. He was the third-highest rated offensive player for the Browns, according to Profootballfocus.com.

Anthony Fabiano, OL: Started at center and played all 78 snaps on offense. Had a high shotgun snap that resulted in a fumble recovered by the Steelers.

Rashard Higgins, WR: Had one target (no catches) in 24 snaps on offense. He was the intended target on a Ryan Shazier interception for the Steelers.

Tyrone Holmes, DE: Played 10 snaps on defense and did not have a tackle.

Tracy Howard, CB: Played one snap on defense and 10 on special teams. Had a holding penalty on a Browns punt return in the first quarter.

Cody Kessler, QB: Was active but did not play.

Ricardo Louis, WR: Had two catches (two targets) for 22 yards in nine snaps on offense.

Carl Nassib, DE: Had three tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in 47 snaps on defense.

Emmanuel Ogbah, LB: Started and had one tackle, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit in 53 snaps on defense.

Joe Schobert, LB: Started and had two tackles in 21 snaps on defense.

Danny Vitale, FB: Started and had one catch (one target) for -1 yard in eight snaps on offense. Had two tackles in 23 snaps on special teams.

INACTIVE ROOKIES

Trey Caldwell, DB

Kevin Hogan, QB

Darius Jackson, RB

Most media members and fans bounced between wanting them to win just because and hoping they would lose because it was better for the organization.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sunday's regular season finale wasn't just the final chapter in the Cleveland Browns' miserable season. It was the Browns' chance to get rewarded for that futility, with the first-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft dangling in front of them.

That became the center of the chatter as the Browns closed in on a second straight win, which would've pushed them to the second spot.

Most media members and fans bounced between wanting them to win just because and hoping they would lose, thinking it was better for the organization.  

Eventually that became the Browns' reality, bungling a few different late-game situations and falling in overtime, 27-24, against Pittsburgh, which rested many of its stars.

Here is a compilation of thoughts from media members and analysts following Cleveland's final loss:

Longtime NFL writer Don Banks recaps Week 17 in his "Snap Judgments" column and doesn't believe Robert Griffin III's play against the Steelers was an indicator of future success.

"For the longest time on Sunday, it looked like the Browns were going to lose by winning. But Cleveland came to it senses, thereby locking up next April's first overall pick in the draft. The Steelers played their JV squad and it still didn't matter, because the Browns did Browns-like things such as fumble inside the Pittsburgh 5-yard line to waste one drive and fumble away a long interception return just before crossing the Steelers goal line.

Whatever it takes, Brownies. Whatever it takes. And don't let Robert Griffin III's decent showing late this season dissuade you from drafting a first-round quarterback with one of your two No. 1's."

In The Ringer's "Winner and Losers" column, the site identifies the Browns as both for their performance against the Steelers.

"Well, that couldn't have gone any better. At about a dozen different moments on Sunday, it looked as if the Browns had hit their stride at exactly the wrong time. All season, Cleveland's plan for peak awfulness had worked to bizarre perfection. The Browns' total teardown looked to be a surefire path to the no. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, the purest form of a total rebuild, orchestrated by an analytics-heavy front office seeking to maximize every resource possible.

Then, after knocking off the Chargers for its first win of the season in Week 16, Cleveland needed a last-second 49ers win over the Rams to retain the top pick in the draft. That scare apparently wasn't enough to deter this team from playing well enough to possibly steal another game. In almost every other scenario, it would have been a devastating overtime loss in what's been a devastating season; for this Cleveland team, though, there could have been no better outcome."

Pro Football Focus grades each player from Browns-Steelers, pointing out a trio of Cleveland offensive lineman, which deserves credit for Isaiah Crowell's big day.

"Cleveland ran for 231 yards on 33 carries on the afternoon, with 134 of those yards coming after contact. A big reason for those running lanes was the offensive line -- granted, Isaiah Crowell made the right cuts and showed some burst on a few of his runs. Three of the Browns' offensive linemen earned run-blocking grades above 80.0, with rookie Shon Coleman leading the team at 84.5."

As if his day wasn't bad enough after fumbling near the end zone on an interception return, preventing the Browns from taking a 14-point lead against the Steelers, Briean Boddy-Calhoun makes Pro Football Focus' list of the 10 worst players from Week 17.

"For much of the season Briean Boddy-Calhoun has been something of a bright spot in a dismal Browns season, but that went south in a major way this week, and he doesn't even have the excuse of trying to cover Antonio Brown to explain it (Brown was rested, as was Ben Roethlisberger). Calhoun allowed six receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, surrendering a passer rating of 89.4 even with an interception to his name, and allowing three different wideouts to make significant catches against him. Three missed tackles didn't help his cause, and it's an unfortunate way to end a positive rookie year for the undrafted free agent."

NFL.com's Around the League crew compiles three thoughts from each game, singling out Robert Griffin III as he tried to make a late-season case to be kept.

"The Browns used Sunday to take one last look at quarterback Robert Griffin III. The veteran passer threw his only two touchdowns of the year in the first half, but also tossed a red-zone pick and fumbled away an ill-fated shotgun snap on back-to-back offensive plays. His 29-of-40 performance for 232 yards looks better on paper. Amid chit-chat of this being some sort of 'audition' for Griffin, the Browns simply cannot rely on him as their Week 1 starter in 2017. Whether they trade for a trustworthy/durable veteran or find a starter in the draft, the search for a franchise signal-caller rages on."

Monday Morning Quarterback's Peter King tabs Christian Kirksey as one of the week's under-the-radar players who deserves recognition.

"He played his best game of the season on Sunday, earning a sack, hit and two hurries in 11 pass-rush snaps. In coverage, he allowed only two catches for 14 yards. Kirksey ended the day as PFF's top-rated linebacker in Week 17." 

ESPN's Kevin Seifert takes a look at the 2017 NFL Draft order and why the Browns should exhale after almost beating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The Browns took the Pittsburgh Steelers to overtime before losing 27-24, bested by a team that rested most of its key players in preparation for the playoffs. The outcome avoided unmitigated disaster for the Browns. Even after their historically awful season, the Browns would have been relegated to the No. 2 overall spot if they had pulled off a victory in Pittsburgh, thanks to the 49ers' season-ending loss to the Seattle Seahawks

It never came to that for the Browns, and as it should be, their reward for a 1-15 season will indeed be the best position in the draft.

The Browns need help at every single position and at quarterback more than anywhere. But with two picks in the top 12, you have to imagine this pick will be available via trade to the highest bidder."

With the Browns winning the top pick in the draft, Pro Football Focus examines the three best choices, including Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.

"Watson has enough physical ability to succeed in the NFL, and his strong work as a runner is added bonus to his NFL skill set. Given that the rest of the league is not sold on Watson's ability, the Browns may look to add a defensive playmaker at the top before looking to Watson with their second first-round pick, but if they're sold on his potential as a franchise quarterback, there's nothing wrong with taking him No. 1 overall."

More Tweets

Keep the faith, Browns fans https://t.co/Vp4jO1TLAD

-- Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 2, 2017

Terrelle Pryor is 2nd player in NFL history w/ 1,000 rec yds in 1 season & 1,000 pass yds in another, joining Marlin Briscoe (@EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/LPXLoy7gQL

-- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 2, 2017

The football gods have seen it sufficient to extend the Browns season one extra overtime.

-- Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 1, 2017

Not the season we worked for but so honored to go to battle every week with the men on this team @Browns

-- Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 1, 2017

"Who are: the Cleveland Browns?"#JeopardySports pic.twitter.com/WFwxxDBPe8

-- Jeopardy! Sports (@JeopardySports) January 1, 2017