DaytonDailyNews.com

CLEVELAND — Looking nothing like an expected AFC contender, the Cleveland Browns stumbled into their bye week with one win and the league's second-most penalties.

False start, indeed.

This was supposed to be the year the Browns put it all together. Instead, through four games, they've done little more than disappoint their loyal fans again. The leaves on the Buckeye trees have barely begun turning autumnal shades across Northeast Ohio, and already there's a fear that football season is as good as over.

As bad as it's been, the Browns (1-3) understand things could be much worse. They ended their 0-for-'08 losing streak last week with an ugly 20-12 win at Cincinnati, beating a Bengals team forced to start Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback in place of injured Carson Palmer.

Hey, a win is a win.

"Guys feel better about things getting a victory," kicker Phil Dawson said. "But we all understand that we're still in a hole, and this is just one step in getting out of this hole. Hopefully, we can come in and get some good work done this week and come back next week and get some momentum going."

That will be tough. The Browns will return to the field Oct. 13 for a Monday night matchup against the Super Bowl champion Giants, who embarrassed Cleveland during the preseason, scoring 30 consecutive points in the first half and knocking out quarterback Derek Anderson with a concussion — one of five Cleveland starters to go down with an injury that night.

The exhibition loss triggered a slide the Browns still are trying to stop.

Progress is slow, and with a daunting schedule ahead — Cleveland will face six of the top seven currently ranked defenses — the Browns may have to change their offensive identity. Until their passing game finds its rhythm, the Browns may have to grind out things on the ground by handing the ball to Jamal Lewis.

Anderson is open to any reforms that will get the Browns on track.

"You just have to find a way to get it done," he said. "Whatever it takes to get it done. If that means running the ball 40 times, then that's what it is."

In Sunday's win, there were signs the Browns are emerging from their malaise. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards, guilty of several dropped passes and penalties in the first three weeks, caught a touchdown pass and was aggressively blocking downfield.

"I don't think we can go any further down," Edwards said. "We're definitely moving in the right direction."

Browns' remaining games

The Browns have 12 games remaining. They need to go 7-5 just to finish .500. But where will the wins come from against this schedule (home games in caps)?

Monday, Oct. 13: NEW YORK GIANTS

Sunday, Oct. 19: Washington Redskins

Sunday, Oct. 26: Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, Nov. 2: BALTIMORE RAVENS

Thursday, Nov. 6: DENVER

BRONCOS

Monday, Nov. 17: Buffalo Bills

Sunday, Nov. 23: HOUSTON TEXANS

Sunday, Nov. 30: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Sunday, Dec. 7: Tennessee Titans

Monday, Dec. 15: Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday, Dec. 21: CINCINNATI BENGALS

Sunday, Dec. 28: Pittsburgh Steelers