Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 6.
CBS Sports - No. 32 (no change)
They benched rookie quarterback DeShone KIzer against the Jets and this thing is really coming unraveled. Are changes coming after the season in the front office and coaching staff?
ESPN - No. 32 (no change)
It took the Browns five games just to take a lead in a game. Technically, they have some chance of making the playoffs, but according to FPI, that chance is below 0.1 percent. At least the Indians are still looking good.
NFL.com - No. 32 (no change)
Maybe it's time to sit down DeShone Kizer. Another rough outing for the rookie versus the Jets was followed by a not-any-smoother postgame press conference. Kevin Hogan kept the Browns afloat Sunday with a few on-point throws and a nice assist from Duke Johnson on a screen pass gone wild. Hogan has earned the right to play more. He might have even delivered a win, had that goal-to-go sequence gone differently in the final quarter. On another note: Kasen Williams and David Njoku made some redonkulous catches Sunday. Holy cow.
Bleacher Report - No. 32 (no change)
The first thing you have to think about with the Browns is the quarterbacks the team has passed on over the last couple of years. Cleveland could have Carson Wentz, Deshaun Watson or Dak Prescott under center. Instead, they have DeShone Kizer, who was just benched at halftime.
All of the concerns I had about Kizer coming out of college—like his inaccuracy and inability to process the speed of the NFL this early—are still there. He has shown some promise, but he's inconsistent as a thrower and doesn't make a large variety of throws. By no means has Cleveland figured out its quarterback situation.
Quarterback isn't the only issue for Cleveland, either. This is a team that doesn't have a lot of talent on offense. The Browns could have stolen Sunday's game against the Jets, but a number of mistakes—like two missed field goals and two red-zone turnovers—cost them.
It didn't help that head coach Hue Jackson passed on a game-tying field-goal attempt down 10-7 and failed to score. That's just one example of how some of Jackson's decisions have hurt the team this season. It was great to finally see Myles Garrett on the field (two sacks), even if he isn't going to lift this team to success right now.
Yahoo Sports - No. 32 (no change)
Since there aren’t too many positives in Cleveland, what about mentioning that first-round pick David Njoku had a nice game Sunday? The tight end’s one-handed catch for a touchdown was fantastic. He should be a nice piece of their core. And clearly, Myles Garrett’s debut was a big hit.
Pro Football Focus - No. 32 (no change)
Associated Press - No. 32 (no change)
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 | |
| CBS Sports | 23 | 32 | 20 | 15 |
| ESPN | 21 | 32 | 18 | 10 |
| NFL.com | 23 | 32 | 21 | 14 |
| Bleacher Report | 23 | 32 | 20 | 9 |
| Yahoo Sports | 23 | 32 | 21 | 10 |
| Pro Football Focus | 13 | 32 | 15 | 8 |
| Associated Press | 23 | 32 | 17 | 10 |
| Average | 21.3 (up 2.3) |
32.0 (even) |
18.9 (up 3.7) |
10.9 (down 6.2) |