Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 11.
CBS Sports - No. 26 (down 1 spot)
They aren’t dead yet after beating the Bills. But they still don’t look good enough on offense.
ESPN - No. 25 (up 1 spot)
The Browns saved their season with a late, game-winning TD drive on Sunday. Now, they have a chance to generate momentum for the first time all year with a divisional rival coming to town. Beat the Steelers and all of a sudden Cleveland’s playoff outlook begins to change, especially considering that the Browns own the NFL’s easiest remaining schedule.
NFL.com - No. 23 (up 1 spot)
It’s hard to say what exactly can be taken out the Browns’ win over the Bills. Any victory is a great victory, especially when it ends a four-game losing streak, but key deficiencies remain for Cleveland. The offense is inconsistent with Baker Mayfield at the controls, and the unit’s work in the red zone remains dreadful -- especially with the amount of talent on the field. The season would have been all but over if the fumble return for a touchdown by Bills defender Jerry Hughes late in the fourth quarter hadn’t been overturned by review. But it was, and a Nick Chubb-led offense made the most of its second chance, driving for the go-ahead score. Following a second missed field-goal try by Stephen Hauschka, the Browns were celebrating. Cleveland remains on the outside looking in at 3-6, but hey, the rest of the AFC wild-card field isn’t exactly overwhelming -- Buffalo included. A win against the Steelers on Thursday Night Football, and the Browns have a shot.
The mistake on the lake got their first win in over a month at the expense of their cousins to the east. Baker Mayfield had his best outing in a while (26-of-38, 238 yards, 2 TDs, NO PICKS!), Nick Chubb continues a strong season (116 yards on 20 carries) and the defense stifled the Bills’ rushing attack nicely (84 total rushing yards).
Yahoo Sports - No. 24 (up 2 spots)
Last week Myles Garrett wondered why the Browns couldn’t go 10-6. That seems unlikely. But the sixth seed in the AFC might end up being 8-8. The Browns aren’t dead yet after Sunday’s much-needed win over the Bills, though they’ll need to play better.
Bleacher Report - No. 23 (up 3 spots)
There hasn’t been much to cheer about in Cleveland in 2019. After an offseason filled with hype and hope in equal measure, the Browns won just two games over the first half of the season and were riding a four-game losing streak into Sunday’s home tilt with the Buffalo Bills. Maybe—just maybe—Cleveland’s comeback win over the Bills is the beginning of a second-half rebound. Or at least a return to some level of respectability.
The Browns didn’t exactly pile up style points in the win—prior to the game-deciding drive, Cleveland’s red-zone offense was a comedy of errors. But unlike last week’s loss in Denver, the Browns found a way to pull the contest out in the end. The Browns still have no shortage of issues on both sides of the ball. But for the first time in a long while, the team has positive momentum, which it will hope to build on in Thursday’s night meeting with the rival Steelers in Cleveland.
Associated Press - No. 24 (down 3 spots)
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 | 32 | 26 | 1 | 14 |
| ESPN | 32 | 25 | 3 | 15 |
| NFL.com | 32 | 23 | 2 | 12 |
| MMQB | 32 | 20 | 2 | 17 |
| Yahoo Sports | 32 | 24 | 3 | 14 |
| Bleacher Report | 32 | 23 | 2 | 13 |
| Associated Press | 32 | 23 | 1 | 13 |
| Average | 32.0 (down 0.3) |
23.4 (up 2.2) |
2.0 (up 1.9) |
14.0 (up 3.4) |