CLEVELAND - As a motivational tool in a season gone wrong, Browns president Carmen Policy handed out small mirrors to the team's players and coaches earlier this week.

Each mirror was inscribed at the bottom with Cleveland's current record: 3-6.

However, the true reflection might be even uglier.

In fact, if the Browns peered deep enough into the glass, they just might see this Sunday's opponent, the Arizona Cardinals (3-6).

Because from the looks of things, the Browns appear to be a team in complete disarray - a status the Cardinals have managed to maintain for 15 years.

This week alone:

The Browns released wide receiver Kevin Johnson, their leading receiver and top playmaker since 1999.

They learned they'll be without star running back William Green for three more games after he violated the NFL's substance abuse policy.

They lost starting tight end Steve Heiden and reserve defensive tackle Alvin McKinley to season-ending injuries each sustained last Sunday in a loss to Kansas City.

And if the events of the past few days weren't enough, Cleveland's turbulent season has included coach Butch Davis juggling quarterbacks Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb on an almost weekly basis, and the Browns having to use nine different starters in the offensive line due to injuries.

Hopefully, Policy checked to make sure those mirrors weren't already cracked.

''This has been a very difficult week,'' he said.

Still, the Browns have hope. Despite more than 2 1/2 months of turmoil, they're just two games back in the mediocre AFC North, where a .500 record might be good enough to win the division.

A victory over the Cardinals could put the Browns right back in the thick of things. Last year, Cleveland went 5-2 in their last seven games to make the playoffs.

Wide receiver Andre' Davis thinks the Browns can make a similar run.

''Nobody expected us to do what we did down the stretch last year, so it's definitely possible,'' he said. ''We just have to believe in ourselves.''

That's exactly what Butch Davis has been preaching to his team amid the chaos of the past week.

''At some point, you have to circle the wagons,'' he said. ''These guys care about each other and they pull for each other. I think there are a tremendous amount of guys here who respect each other and want to play well for each other.''

The Cardinals have lost nine straight road games dating to last season, but coach Dave McGinnis is confident his team can end that slide soon - maybe even Sunday.

After the starting the season 1-5, Arizona won two straight before a disappointing loss at Pittsburgh last Sunday.

A series of miscues in the third quarter allowed the Steelers to score 14 points in a span of 2:51 to blow the game open.