Terrelle Pryor: Cleveland Browns "one of best teams in NFL"

MIAMI, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Despite losing its first three games of the 2016 season and starting its third string quarterback, Terrelle Pryor says the Cleveland Browns are one of the league's best.

"A lot of people overlook us and talk bad about us, but I feel like our team is one of the best teams in the NFL," Pryor said Sunday after the Browns lost to the Miami Dolphins 30-24. "We just got to figure out how to win. We could easily be 2-1 right now and our defense played their butts off [Sunday]."

The Browns' schedule doesn't get any easier, with a road match up against the Washington Redskins before facing the New England Patriots in Cleveland.

With wide receiver Josh Gordon returning from a suspension next week, an improved running game, and the dynamic Pryor outside, the Browns do have the recipe for an offensive explosion. Quarterback Josh McCown is expected to return in 2 to 4 weeks after a shoulder injury. Corey Coleman, who had 173 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches through two games, will sit out 4 to 6 weeks after breaking his hand. But the Browns' main ailment this season has been a defense allowing 28 points per game.

"First of all, I'd like to praise [Head] Coach [Hue] Jackson and our coaching staff," Pryor said Sunday. "This is one of the best coaching staffs I've ever been a part of, that's coached me. Our record doesn't show it right now, but our guys play for them. This is the best coaching staff I've played for, especially in my position now. Our special teams coach [Chris Tabor] does a great job – everybody. We've got a lot of things going on from the standpoint of losing players, losing Corey Coleman, losing our kicker [Patrick Murray], and we're still fighting. I'm just proud of my teammates and proud of the coaching staff. I can't really break it down any more than that."

Jackson, known around the league as an offensive guru, is not afraid to use Pryor in any capacity. On Sunday, he completed 3-of-5 passes for 35 yards, had four rushes for 21 yards and a touchdown, had eight catches for 144 yards, and took a snap as a safety.

"I'll put him everywhere," Jackson said Sunday. "Whatever we think it takes to help us win a game...That's what we're trying to do. I think you guys know me, I'll use anybody anyplace if I can."

While Pryor might be a budding star for fantasy football purposes, I expect NFL defenses to eventually catch on to his wildcat-esque antics. On Sunday, the Dolphins struggled with containing Pryor, despite his inaccuracy on longer throws.

The Browns have had just two winning seasons since 1995, with its last coming in 2007. Sunday's kick off comes at 1 p.m. against the Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover.