Consistency's the word

The Cleveland Browns coaches aren't the only ones losing sleep over the team's inconsistency on offense. In a 51-45 victory over Cincinnati and a 27-13 triumph over Baltimore, the Browns looked like a juggernaut. In a 34-7 loss to Pittsburgh and a 26-24 setback at Oakland, they were a mess. An efficient first drive last week at New England was encouraging, especially since the Browns were within 10 points of the Super Bowl favorites in the second half.

But this on-again, off-again style is driving tight end Kellen Winslow nuts.

''We play great football, then we play bad football,'' Winslow said. ''We have to be more consistent as a team offensively. We didn't play as well as we wanted to against the Patriots. Against the Ravens and the Bengals we played like we're capable of. We have to get more consistent in what we're going to do on offense and our identity and stick with that.''

Winslow thinks the offensive woes have been more a case of the Browns stopping themselves. Quarterback Derek Anderson has thrown eight interceptions (vs. 11 TDs) and Cleveland has also lost four fumbles.

''I don't think anybody can really stop us,'' Winslow said. ''When we turn the ball over, when we have mentals, that sort of thing, we can't have that.''

But at least the Browns are showing signs of getting their act together at home, where they're 2-0. They haven't won three in a row at home since the 2001 season, when they actually stretched it to four (beating Detroit, San Diego, Baltimore and Cincinnati).