Cleveland Browns Power Rankings Roundup - Week 14: Flashes of Promise, Familiar Frustrations
We’re heading into Week 14, and the Cleveland Browns find themselves in a familiar spot-hovering in the bottom tier of the NFL power rankings. Despite a few bright spots, particularly on defense and the emergence of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Browns continue to be weighed down by offensive inconsistency and costly mistakes. Across the league’s major outlets, Cleveland is mostly stuck in the high 20s, with a few analysts nudging them slightly upward based on potential rather than production.
Let’s break down where the Browns stand and why, as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
CBS Sports - No. 29 (↓1 spot)
CBS isn’t sugarcoating it. The Browns are near the bottom of their rankings, and while Shedeur Sanders remains the starter-as he should-the long-term answer at quarterback still feels unresolved.
The suggestion that Cleveland may need to look for a new QB in 2026 is a reminder that Sanders’ audition, while intriguing, is exactly that: an audition. The front office may be encouraged by his poise, but they’re not married to him just yet.
ESPN - No. 27 (↑1 spot)
X-Factor: Shedeur Sanders
ESPN offers a slightly more optimistic take, highlighting Sanders as the team’s biggest X-factor heading into the final stretch. The fifth-round rookie is set to make his third consecutive start against the Titans, and while his numbers-60% completion rate, two touchdowns-aren’t eye-popping, they’ve been enough to keep the Browns intrigued.
With two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, Cleveland has flexibility, but Sanders has a real opportunity to make a case for himself as the long-term solution. These next few weeks are less about wins and losses and more about evaluating whether Sanders can be part of the answer.
NFL.com - No. 28 (↓1 spot)
NFL.com paints a picture of a team that can’t seem to get out of its own way. Sanders wasn’t bad in his second start, especially considering the swirling winds, but the offense as a whole sputtered.
After halftime against the 49ers, the Browns’ drives ended in two punts, a fumble, and two turnovers on downs. That’s not exactly a recipe for success, even with a defense that’s been playing at a high level.
And speaking of that defense-San Francisco’s three touchdown drives all started inside Cleveland’s 35-yard line. That’s not on the defense.
It’s on the offense and special teams for putting them in impossible situations. The Browns’ inability to complement their defense with even average offensive play continues to be their Achilles' heel.
Also worth noting: Kevin Stefanski is now locked in for his fourth losing season in six years. The other two?
He won Coach of the Year. It’s a strange résumé, and it raises fair questions about how much patience the Browns will have this offseason.
Yahoo Sports - No. 27 (↓1 spot)
Yahoo zeroes in on the Browns’ offensive futility and coaching instability. Over the past two seasons, Cleveland has cycled through seven starting quarterbacks and handed off play-calling duties to two different offensive coordinators-Ken Dorsey in 2024 and Tommy Rees in 2025.
The result? Still dead last in offensive DVOA for the second straight year.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team with legitimate talent on the defensive side of the ball. Stefanski, for all his accolades, hasn’t found a fix. And with that kind of prolonged offensive ineptitude, it’s fair to wonder if the clock is ticking on his tenure.
Bleacher Report - No. 27 (no change)
Bleacher Report shifts the spotlight to Myles Garrett-and honestly, who can blame them? Garrett is in the thick of the Defensive Player of the Year race, and he’s doing it on a team that continues to self-destruct around him. His sack on Sunday brought his season total to 19, putting him within striking distance of the NFL’s single-season sack record (22.5).
The 49ers didn’t have to work hard for their touchdowns last week-three scoring drives that didn’t even crack 40 yards. That’s not on Garrett.
That’s on a Browns team that continues to gift opponents short fields through turnovers and special teams breakdowns. Garrett’s dominance is bordering on historic, and it’s a shame that it’s being overshadowed by the team’s dysfunction.
USA Today - No. 23 (↑1 spot)
USA Today is a bit more bullish on Cleveland, sliding them up to No. 23 and hyping the upcoming matchup between Garrett and Cam Ward, the league’s most-sacked quarterback. If Garrett is going to break the sack record, this might be the week. The idea of that happening in just 13 games is wild-and not entirely out of the question given Garrett’s current pace.
Bottom Line
The Browns are a team of contradictions. Their defense, led by a generational pass-rusher in Myles Garrett, is playing lights-out football.
Their rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, has shown enough flashes to earn an extended look. But the offense as a whole is still broken-sloppy, inconsistent, and unable to capitalize on the few opportunities it gets.
With four games left, Cleveland isn’t likely to climb much higher in the rankings unless something clicks offensively. But there’s still value in these final weeks.
Sanders has a chance to prove he belongs. Garrett has a shot at history.
And the front office will be watching closely to decide how to shape the future of this franchise-starting with who’s under center and who’s calling the plays.
For now, the Browns remain stuck in the high 20s. But if Sanders can string together a few more solid performances and Garrett keeps wrecking game plans, there’s still a sliver of hope that this season can end on a more optimistic note than it began.