Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 14.
CBS Sports - No. 22 (down 1 spot)
Baker Mayfield looked like a rookie against the Texans, but that can happen. They still have their long-term guy, which is a good thing.
SB Nation - No. 11 (up 8 spots)
Plucky is the only word I can find for the Browns right now, and that is a helluva lot better than the adjectives we’ve used to describe this team in the past. Sure, they never had a chance against a really good Houston team, but even in a loss, the new look Browns are going keep chucking it like they have a chance until the very last whistle blows.
NFL.com - No. 21 (down 3 spots)
The Browns were a trendy upset pick in a week that ended up being full of upsets ... except they didn’t come close to upending the Texans. Baker Mayfield has been playing with (and displaying) plenty of confidence. More often than not, his attitude has been a breath of fresh air for Cleveland. On Sunday, he apparently felt secure enough in his abilities to try and put the ball wherever he wanted against the Houston defense, but it didn’t turn out well. His first interception was the worst kind: a forced throw into a zone with a linebacker/hybrid lurking in underneath coverage. Pick-six for Zach Cunningham ... 17-0, Texans. On the next drive, Mayfield pushed another pass into coverage, this decision being worse than the first ... another pick, which led to a Houston field goal. Then came some classic rookie QB pressing, as Mayfield heaved a deep ball into triple coverage when he had room to run for the first-down marker. Interception. Houston notched another field goal on the ensuing drive, and it was 23-zip. For all intents and purposes, that was the ballgame.
MMQB - No. 26 (down 3 spots)
Yahoo Sports - No. 20 (no change)
There is going to be a lot of Mike McCarthy-Browns speculation, given John Dorsey’s past connections to Green Bay. However, the main criticism of McCarthy in recent years has been that his offense is entirely stale, and that was with Aaron Rodgers. So would hiring him actually be the best move for the Browns?
ESPN - No. 22 (up 1 spot)
We’re No. 1 in: Coaching changes. Hue Jackson’s firing means that the Browns will be hiring (counting interims) their 11th coach since 1999 and sixth since 2011. The Browns haven’t had a head coach last longer than two seasons since Romeo Crennel was coach from 2005 through 2008. They hope this next hire changes those fortunes.
Associated Press - No. 22 (down 2 spots)
Listed below is a summary table of where teams in the AFC North are ranked this week.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers | |
| CBS Sports | 23 | 22 | 11 | 10 |
| SB Nation | 27 | 11 | 9 | 12 |
| NFL.com | 28 | 21 | 11 | 7 |
| MMQB | 30 | 26 | 13 | 6 |
| Yahoo Sports | 28 | 20 | 11 | 8 |
| ESPN | 25 | 22 | 10 | 7 |
| Associated Press | 27 | 22 | 12 | 8 |
| Average | 26.9 (down 3.5) |
20.6 (no change) |
11.0 (up 1.6) |
8.3 (down 1.7) |