NFL Power Rankings: Browns slip two spots to 26th heading into Week 10 bye

Cleveland is still getting that post-Watson boost, despite losing to the Chargers.

Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season. Note: These rankings were before the Week 10 TNF game between the Ravens and Bengals.

CBS Sports – No. 24 (down 1 spot)

Jameis Winston-mania came to a screeching halt in the loss to the Chargers. Their playoff hopes took a damning blow.

ESPN – No. 25 (down 1 spot)

Most important game remaining: Week 11 vs. the Saints

Five of the Browns’ final eight opponents have winning records, but Cleveland enters its bye week as one of nine teams with two wins. The Browns’ road game against the Saints could have huge ramifications for the franchise’s long-term prospects. ESPN Analytics gives Cleveland a 36.9% chance to get a top-five pick in the 2025 draft, slightly below the Saints’ projections. That head-to-head matchup could loom large for draft positioning and possibly acquiring a franchise quarterback.

NFL.com – No. 27 (no change)

After scoring 29 points in the inspiring upset over the Ravens in Week 8, the Browns managed just 10 against the Chargers, which somehow was Cleveland’s low-water mark of the season. Jameis Winston threw three picks and was lucky not to have more; he also was sacked six times. The Browns managed just 57 first-half yards and were stuck on three points until the game’s final minute. So Cleveland crawls into the bye week as a team right back to where it was before: lacking identity. The Browns coming back to earth after the one-week offensive outburst was disappointing, even if it wasn’t totally shocking, but the regression of the defense on the whole has been just as big a concern. Selling off assets like Za’Darius Smith (sent to Detroit) before the deadline makes sense, but it only underscores just how big this coming offseason will be in Cleveland. There’s a lot to figure out.

Sporting News – No. 28 (down 3 spots)

The Browns got a short-term spark from Jameis Winston, only to follow up the Ravens home win by having a major letdown with the Chargers sapping all the energy from the Dawg Pound. The clock is now ticking until they can draft their franchise QB.

Yahoo Sports – No. 25 (down 5 spots)

Well, forget about the notion that the Browns could have a surge with Jameis Winston at quarterback. He looked bad Sunday vs. the Chargers and so did the Browns. They’re playing out the string for the second half of the season.

Bleacher Report – No. 30 (down 5 spots)

While stunning the Baltimore Ravens last week, the Cleveland Browns showed their first signs of life in a while. It didn’t last long. There wasn’t much the Browns did well Sunday against the Chargers. There was Myles Garrett’s three-sack outburst, and that was about it. The offense had less than 300 yards of offense and turned it over three times. The defense was repeatedly gouged for big plays through the air.

Cleveland’s disastrous season has given rise to any number of trade rumors surrounding the team, including a report that edge-rusher Za’Darius Smith would be dealt to the Detroit Lions. Garrett told reporters his focus is on the field and not who might be headed out of town.

“I don’t look into the rumor mill or trade rumors. I focus on my job here and getting this team out of the hole we’re in and keeping these guys together,” Garrett said. “All the talk outside of this team has nothing to do with me and nothing to do with us.”

Maybe he’s just jealous that he has to stay in Cleveland. Because sure enough, Smith was traded to the Lions on Tuesday.

Analyst’s Take

“Cleveland’s stunning upset win over the Ravens in Week 8 may have done nothing but make Baltimore angry. It did nothing to correct the offensive inconsistency or the defensive breakdowns that have plagued the Browns all season. The spark provided by Jameis Winston last week was only temporary, and the Browns are back to looking like one of the worst teams in football.

“Cleveland is headed toward a rebuild, one that could take several years to complete due to Deshaun Watson’s contract. The big question now is whether team owner Jimmy Haslam will look to replace head coach Kevin Stefanski with someone who will keep trying to make it work with Watson under center.”

USA Today – No. 24 (down 1 spot)

Maybe it was fitting that new QB1 Jameis Winston made his 100th NFL appearance Sunday and threw his 100th career INT … and 101st … and 102nd. Little surprise that led to the departure of Za’Darius Smith from a 2-7 operation that needs to reload.

Listed below is a summary table of where teams in the AFC North are ranked this week.

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What do you think of the Browns’ ranking this week?