After a tough loss to the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns fans are feeling the weight of a season that’s starting to slip away. According to the latest fan confidence poll, belief in the direction of the team has taken a sharp hit-dropping 17 percentage points to just 30%. That’s a significant dip, and it speaks volumes about the mood in Cleveland right now.
And it’s not hard to see why. Injuries have decimated this roster.
Key players are landing on injured reserve seemingly every week, and the depth is being tested in ways no team wants to experience this late in the season. Add in a performance against Chicago that felt flat from start to finish, and it’s clear why fans are questioning everything-from the coaching staff to the players’ effort.
The Browns didn’t just lose-they looked outmatched in all three phases of the game.
Meanwhile, the team on the other side of the field this week-the Buffalo Bills-is dealing with its own set of challenges, but the vibes are a bit different. Bills fans are sitting at 51% confidence, which isn’t exactly sky-high, but it’s noticeably higher than what we’re seeing in Cleveland.
It reflects a fanbase that still expects more from its team and sees the window for a championship starting to narrow. Even though Buffalo managed a comeback win last week, the fact that it required a late rally only added to the sense that something still isn’t quite right.
As part of this week’s fan pulse, Browns fans were also asked to pinpoint what they believed was most responsible for the blowout loss to the Bears. And while “all of the above” wasn’t an option, the results paint a picture of a fanbase that sees multiple issues converging at once.
Thirty-seven percent of fans pointed to the injury situation as the biggest factor, which makes sense considering how many starters are missing. Another 35% blamed poor coaching and preparation-a sign that fans aren’t letting the staff off the hook.
And 28% said the players have simply checked out, suggesting that some fans are questioning the team’s fight and focus as the season winds down.
There was also a question about Shedeur Sanders, who’s had a rollercoaster of a season. Just a week after putting up four touchdowns, he threw three interceptions in the loss to Chicago.
That kind of swing in performance naturally raises eyebrows, but most fans seem to be holding steady in their evaluation. Fifty-nine percent said their impression of Sanders hasn’t changed, while 27% said it’s taken a hit.
Interestingly, 14% actually came away more impressed-perhaps seeing the rough outing as part of the learning curve for a young quarterback still finding his footing.
All told, it’s a complicated moment for the Browns and their fans. The injuries are real, the execution has been lacking, and patience is wearing thin.
But there’s still football to be played, and the matchup against Buffalo offers a chance-however slim-to steady the ship. Whether the Browns can rise to the occasion or continue their slide is the question fans will be watching closely.