FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- A few thoughts on the Cleveland Browns' 27-26 loss to the New England Patriots:

What it means: Could a loss be more crushing? The Browns followed a teeth gnasher against Jacksonville with a spirit breaker in New England. Although Cleveland was up 26-14 with 3:04 left, Tom Brady somehow led the Patriots to two scores and the win. Oh, the Pats also recovered an onside kick in that time and got the benefit of a pass-interference call in the end zone in the final minute. Does anyone doubt anymore what folks refer to when they say OIC -- Only In Cleveland?

Stock watch: The Browns do have heart, and they do believe in their coach. No team could play in New England the way the Browns did without both those traits. The Browns were woeful a week ago against Jacksonville. They were the exact opposite against the Patriots. It’s hard to explain the NFL sometimes. Brady is the virtuoso of quarterbacks, and he plays his best when the games mean the most. The Browns nearly flipped that script -- but Brady came through (again) when it mattered most.

Bounce back: Jason Campbell had 391 yards and three touchdowns on a day when there was doubt he would even be on the field. Campbell brought some calm back to the Browns' offense, and he avoided Brandon Weeden's turnover bug. Campbell took care of the ball and did enough to keep the Browns in the game, then led the Browns on an impressive 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter to score a touchdown that should have sealed the game. Not bad for a guy whose first full practice in 11 days was the Friday before the game.

Ward takeout: Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was the victim of a low hit from safety T.J. Ward, and the NFL rules. There used to be an unwritten rule in the NFL not to hit a guy low from behind. But the NFL has legislated so severely against the high hit that players now aim low. That’s what Ward did to Gronkowski, and the result was what appeared to be a serious lower right leg injury to the Patriots' standout tight end.

Gordon’s mastery: It’s tough to find the words to describe the way Josh Gordon has played the past four games. He’s done everything, as he did in New England, where his day included an 80-yard touchdown, a 34-yard run on a reverse, and a clutch first-down catch on third-and-17 in the fourth quarter with Aqib Talib draped all over him. He has played like a superstar -- a 22-year-old superstar.

What's next: The Browns return home to face the Chicago Bears for the final home game of the season.