Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 7.
CBS Sports - No. 32 (no change)
The move to Kevin Hogan didn't pay off at all. They need to just play DeShone Kizer the rest of the way.
ESPN - No. 32 (no change)
The Browns are an FPI underdog in each of their remaining 10 games, but they do play three of the next four at home. An 0-16 season seemed possible last year, and if they can't get through this current stretch without a win, it might be possible this year.
NFL.com - No. 32 (no change)
Really thought that by Week 7, the Browns would be out of the No. 32 spot. Which, in their case, has become a 32-hole. Or maybe Cleveland has season tickets to being the worst team in the league. It's frustrating for the organization and the fans, as well as those of us who cover the team from afar. Losing in Houston to the Texans -- and the hottest quarterback in the league -- is not the part that is bothersome. Rather, the Browns losing a game they were never really in by three scores -- that is tiresome. I mean, being down 33-3 midway through the third quarter hints little at analytics and potential, while screaming same ol', same ol'. Ugh.
Bleacher Report - No. 32 (no change)
The big thing with the Browns is they always find ways to produce self-inflicted wounds. The Browns are also facing quarterback issues—I know that's a shock—and that continued in Kevin Hogan's first NFL start. Hogan got the Browns off to a bad start against the Texans with early turnovers. The defense allowed some long plays in the pass game and the run game, and Cleveland got behind big early.
Cleveland isn't built to come from behind or to win shootouts. This is the youngest team in the NFL, and it needs to win by playing sound defense, running the ball and limiting offensive mistakes. If the Browns can keep things close, coach Hue Jackson should be able to dial up enough big plays in the passing game to give the team a chance. The problem is Cleveland has rarely been able to keep games close. When the Browns did so against the Jets, red-zone turnovers prevented the team from getting the win. There's no way around the fact that Cleveland is inventing new ways to lose every week.
Yahoo Sports - No. 32 (no change)
The NFL is set up so every team shouldn’t be that good or that bad for too long. That makes the Patriots’ dynasty so impressive. It also makes the Browns’ futility impressive too, in a different way. I look at how the Jets are competitive every week, how the 49ers are fighting, and it makes it a lot harder to defend Hue Jackson. The Browns’ roster is bad, but it’s not that much worse than some of these other teams’ rosters. Yet they’ve lost 21 of 22 under Jackson and they’ve lost by double digits in 13 of Jackson’s 22 games. They have been outscored by 251 points in those 22 games. That’s not supposed to happen in today’s NFL. I’ve gone from thinking the Browns had to keep Jackson around for four years no matter what to wondering how the Browns could justify bringing Jackson back for a third season.
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 | 25 | 32 | 24 | 5 |
| ESPN | 23 | 32 | 22 | 4 |
| NFL.com | 22 | 32 | 28 | 4 |
| Bleacher Report | 20 | 32 | 23 | 5 |
| Yahoo Sports | 24 | 32 | 23 | 3 |
| Pro Football Focus | 14 | 32 | 22 | 5 |
| Associated Press | 25 | 32 | 23 | 4 |
| Average | 21.9 (down 0.6) |
32.0 (even) |
23.6 (down 4.7) |
4.3 (up 6.6) |