The Browns have climbed right into the middle of the NFL conversation in Week 5, and the national power rankings are starting to reflect it. Cleveland sits in first place in the AFC North, owns a 3-1 record, and has spent the first month of the season forcing people to recalibrate what they thought this team would be.
The bounce has been broad, too. Across the major outlets, the Browns moved up an average of 4.6 spots from last week and landed at an overall ranking of 16.1. That still leaves them third in the division in the aggregate, but the direction is unmistakable.
The most eye-catching number may be the one from USA Today, which slotted Cleveland at No. 12 after noting, “Kardiac Kids Part Deux? Deshaun Watson is the first Browns quarterback since Brian Sipe, the league MVP in 1980, to engineer a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of three consecutive games.”
CBS Sports had the Browns at No. 16, up nine spots, and leaned into the surprise of it all: “Can you believe they are 3-1 and tied for first in the division? Who saw that coming? Not me.”
ESPN placed Cleveland at No. 19, up five, and described the opening month this way: “A rebound beyond belief.” The network pointed to the rough start against the Jaguars, a 24-point road loss in the opener, before highlighting how the Browns answered with three straight wins, including a primetime home victory over the Steelers to move to the top of the AFC North. ESPN also noted that Cleveland is back to its aggressive, man-to-man defensive style and that Watson is “playing his best football in a Browns uniform,” with three straight winning drives.
NFL.com kept the Browns at No. 17, unchanged from last week, while still acknowledging the surge. The outlet called it “a three-game winning streak for the Browns,” said the team had regained its defensive identity while harassing Aaron Rodgers all Thursday night, and added that Watson and the offense found a rhythm before the fourth quarter. It also added a note of caution, saying, “I’m not certain Cleveland has beaten a good team yet.”
Sporting News also had Cleveland at No. 17, up four spots, and pointed to the three wins over the Buccaneers, Panthers and Steelers during the streak. The outlet credited Watson, his young supporting cast, and a defense that is “adjusting well without Myles Garrett.”
Yahoo Sports listed the Browns at No. 20, unchanged, and took a more skeptical view of the run. It said Cleveland “should be happy to be on a three-game winning streak” but added, “It’s probably not sustainable.”
Yahoo noted that the Browns’ three victories were all close, with the go-ahead scores coming with 3:51, 1:48 and 10 seconds left. It also pointed out that Cleveland’s point differential is -14 and its DVOA is 23rd.
Even so, the outlet said there is reason for excitement because of the young talent around the quarterback position, specifically rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion Jr., along with second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. It also mentioned that Watson is still unlikely to be the long-term answer at quarterback, though the Browns could get that right in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Cleveland’s next game is at the Jets, where a 4-1 start is in play.
Bleacher Report ranked the Browns No. 20, up eight spots, and said the team is still hard to fully buy into despite the record. It highlighted the three straight wins by a combined 10 points, said the defense has been “more good than great,” noted the ground game still needs work, and referenced an uneven second half from Watson on Thursday night. Still, the outlet conceded that Cleveland is “significantly better than pretty much anyone expected coming into the season” and has a legitimate shot to get to 4-1 against the Jets next week.
And then there’s the line that may best capture the mood around Cleveland right now. As defensive end Jared Verse told Cleveland.com, “This ain’t the old Browns,” and, “We’ve got new swag.”
In Other News...
Browns Defense Suddenly Has A New Problem Ahead Of Jets Game
The Browns defense got a fresh dose of uncertainty this week when the teams Week 5 injury report landed ahead of Sundays matchup with the Jets. Defensive tackle Mason Graham is dealing with an MCL and ankle sprain, while defensive end Derek Barnett is also on the report with an ankle injury, giving Clevelands front another reason to monitor practice closely as the week unfolds.
Safety Grant Delpit was limited because of a shoulder issue, adding to the sense that this unit may not be at full strength when it needs to be. Dillon Gabriel has been cleared to return but is still waiting on a roster spot, while wide receiver Tylan Wallace sat out practice with a knee injury, leaving a few moving parts for Cleveland to sort through before game day. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Could Be Eyeing A Week 5 Opponent For Defensive Line Help
The Browns have been working through a familiar front-line question all season, and the possibility of adding help at defensive tackle has now turned toward a Week 5 opponent. One name that fits the profile is Jets veteran Harrison Phillips, a sturdy run-stopper whose value would be tied to improving a defense that wants more resistance up front without forcing a long-term commitment.
Phillips also comes with a contract situation that makes him easier to imagine in trade discussions as the calendar moves toward the 2026 deadline, especially if New York slips and decides to move veterans for future assets. For Cleveland, the appeal is straightforward: a short-term fix for the defensive line now, while still leaving room to spend a draft pick on a more permanent answer later. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bears QB Turned A Terrifying Health Scare Into A New Mission
Connor Shaws life changed in an instant during a youth flag football game in September 2025, when the former NFL quarterback and ex-Bears signal-caller suffered sudden cardiac arrest while coaching his son. He was saved by quick CPR from bystanders and medics using an automated external defibrillator, then later had a heart monitoring device implanted as he continued to recover from the scare.
Now Shaw is turning that frightening experience into a broader push for preparedness through HRTHUDL, the nonprofit he founded to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, teach CPR and help get AEDs into communities in South Carolina. For anyone around football, especially youth sports, it is the kind of reminder that the most important play can happen long before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]