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Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets heading into Week 5 Power Rankings of the NFL season.
CBS Sports - No. 28 (Down 1 from Last Week)
Josh McCown is playing some solid football, but the defense has become an issue. This team competed at San Diego, but that's not good enough.
FOX Sports - No. 29 (Even from Last Week)
The Browns seem to find a new way every season to be the victims of the NFL’s most crushing defeat, and Week 4 was the perfect example of this. Lost amid their devastating defeat has been the improved play of quarterback Josh McCown. Over the last two games, he has thrown for 697 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception.
NFL.com - No. 26 (Up 2 from Last Week)
Whole lotta folks have been howling for Johnny Manziel. Well, Josh McCown just shot them all a one-finger salute with his stellar performance Sunday in San Diego. For all those people who are still howling for John Football -- side note: McCown might be old enough to actually have seen "The Howling" in the theater -- the Browns staff clearly feels that the veteran gives the team the best chance to win. Hard to argue with 32-of-41 passing for 356 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.
Yahoo Sports - No. 26 (Down 3 from Last Week)
Duke Johnson had 45 snaps at running back this week, and Isaiah Crowell had 27 according to Pro Football Focus. Wouldn't be a surprise if that gap continues to grow.
ESPN - No. 26 (Up 1 from Last Week)
The Browns have scored a touchdown on three of their 11 red zone drives this season (27.3 percent). That makes those two losses by a touchdown or less even tougher to bear.
Covers.com - No. 24 (Up 5 from Last Week)
The NFL braintrust is conducting a thorough investigation of why star cornerback Joe Haden was listed as probable before being ruled inactive and not playing at San Diego.
Listed below is a summary table of where teams in the AFC North are ranked this week.
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| Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX Sports | 3 | 29 | 23 | 13 |
| NFL.com | 3 | 26 | 21 | 13 |
| ESPN | 5 | 25 | 19 | 10 |
| Yahoo Sports | 3 | 26 | 19 | 12 |
| Covers.com | 3 | 24 | 17 | 19 |
| SB Nation | 3 | 26 | 21 | 9 |
| CBS Sports | 3 | 28 | 18 | 9 |
| Odds Shark | 8 | 25 | 13 | 6 |
| Average: | 3.9 (up 1.0) | 26.1 (up 0.8) | 18.9 (up 0.6) | 11.4 (down 1.5) |