"It seemed like when a couple circumstances went on throughout the game, the whole, I guess, feel of the team went down," cornerback Tramon Williams said. "The momentum of the team went down. We got to do a better job (with) that. I saw that on the sideline ... Guys sitting down on the sidelines with their heads down. It’s too early for that. We got to come out and play. We got to always believe."
This might be the toughest nut for Mike Pettine to crack. It’s certainly one that other coaches have found next to impossible to fix. How does a team gain belief without results? The Browns seemed to be gaining belief last season, but poor play and their own actions undermined a 7-4 start.
Five losses ended the season, and the streak hit six on Sunday.
One game into the season -- one game! -- Pettine has already discussed attitude in a meeting with his veterans.
"It is difficult when that is the past history," Pettine said. "It is easy to fall into, 'Here we go again.'"
Pettine talked about being even-keel. Williams, who had one losing season in seven in Green Bay, talked about belief. He, like many other players and coaches before him, said part of the reason he’s in Cleveland is to upend the culture.
"Some things need to change and it has to start with belief," he said. "You have to believe whether you’re down or up."