Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 9.
FOX Sports - No. 32 (even from last week)
Getting Josh McCown back helped the offense, but there are still glaring holes as they were unable to beat the Jets after jumping out to a 20-7 lead. They should be sellers at the deadline, not that the NFL is ever really a buyers or sellers league. Cleveland must seriously consider trading Joe Thomas and Joe Haden to get additional picks to build the defense around Jamie Collins, whom they acquired Monday from the Patriots.
SB Nation - No. 32 (even from last week)
We’re sorry, Cleveland Browns fans. We don’t want to keep your team at the bottom of the trash heap every single week. It’s just that the Browns are the only winless team in the league, and on Sunday, it looked for a moment like we might actually be able to bump them up a spot as they dominated the Jets early.
Then the Browns did the most Browns thing they could possibly do, blowing a 20-7 halftime lead and securing Cleveland’s spot at the bottom of our rankings for yet another week.
NFL.com - No. 32 (even from last week)
#GPODAWUND, man. If the Browns had beaten the Jets on Sunday, I guarantee that would have been the rallying cry. Two fresh faces to discuss here ... Jamie Collins, who came over from New England in a shocking trade on Monday, should instantly make the defense better. And Josh McCown, back in the lineup after being out for over a month, gave the offense some aerial life. While McCown didn't exactly light the world on fire, you could probably tell why teams were so interested in him this summer. This dude easily gives the Browns their best chance to win. The deep-ball interception was forced, granted, but McCown was trying to give T.P.S. a chance to elevate and make a play. I was more disappointed in the late clock management. #LOCKCMANMENTAGA
Bleacher Report - No. 31 (even from last week)
Josh McCown gives the Browns a much, much better offense.
But he also handed Cleveland’s first win away. His back-to-back fourth-quarter picks turned a competitive game into something Browns-like. For the first time in weeks, I can’t excuse Hue Jackson’s club.
I can excuse Terrelle Pryor, though. He put up 101 yards on Darrelle Revis (which isn’t rare anymore, but still) in the first half alone. That he didn’t receive 10 more targets in the second half is a coaching failure.
Yahoo Sports - No. 31 (even from last week)
The Jamie Collins trade makes a lot of sense for them. They need playmakers. They can afford to front-load a big contract for him. If someone else signs Collins next offseason, they’ll get a compensatory pick that’ll make up for the one they gave up. It’s hard to find a downside.
ESPN - No. 32 (even from last week)
When you haven't won a game and you've had six different quarterbacks throw a pass through eight games, you're going to find yourself at the bottom of the standings. If Week 1 prognostications are any such indicator, our power panel had a hunch that Cleveland was going to struggle this season, even before it all went down.
Associated Press - No. 32 (even from last week)
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 | 20 | 32 | 21 | 10 |
| SB Nation | 12 | 32 | 18 | 8 |
| NFL.com | 19 | 32 | 24 | 11 |
| Bleacher Report | 16 | 31 | 23 | 11 |
| Yahoo Sports | 17 | 31 | 24 | 9 |
| ESPN | 13 | 32 | 20 | 8 |
| Associated Press | 15 | 32 | 24 | 11 |
| Average | 16.0 (up 0.4) | 31.7 (even) | 22.0 (down 0.4) | 9.7 (up 0.3) |