Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season.
CBS Sports - No. 24 (up 1 spot)
The good feeling about Jameis Winston has gone away after two straight losses. It’s not him, but the losing can make the good times go away.
ESPN - No. 24 (up 1 spot)
Most shocking ranking: 2nd-most explosive plays allowed
The Browns gave up the fewest yards per play (4.6) last season, but that figure has ballooned to 5.7 in 2024, mainly because of the 100 explosive plays they’ve allowed. It’s a head-scratching issue for a defense that gave up the second-fewest explosive plays in 2023 and returned the majority of its starters for a second season with coordinator Jim Schwartz. According to Schwartz, there has been no commonality in these plays — sometimes it’s missed tackles and other times it’s coverage breakdowns.
NFL.com - No. 25 (no change)
Jameis Winston seemed to really struggle under pressure early against the Steelers, but he rallied a bit and gave the Browns some life. The problem was that they turned the ball over three times (including via two Winston picks) and missed two field-goal tries, extending Dustin Hopkins’ miserable season. The first pick and two wide kicks helped flip a 7-3 Browns lead into a three-score deficit in the span of about one and a half quarters. Winston threw his second pick with less than five minutes left. Then, with the score at 27-14, the Steelers punted back to the Browns. Kadarius Toney coughed it up on the return, and the Steelers ran out the clock. Earlier, Toney earned a taunting flag after a fair catch. Those were his final two snaps of the game. All of his fine previous work on punt returns just vanished, thanks to those two fateful plays.
Sporting News - No. 26 (down 1 spot)
The Browns are doing their best to ride with and rally around Jameis Winston, but it’s difficult when he’s trying to get pass-happy with little running game and a regressing defense.
Yahoo Sports - No. 26 (down 2 spots)
The Browns are getting nothing out of their recent draft class. That isn’t a surprise considering they had no first-round pick and just two selections in the top 155. But they don’t have one sack or interception from the class and just 22 yards from scrimmage. That’s bad news for a three-win team.
Bleacher Report - No. 27 (down 1 spot)
The Cleveland Browns’ loss in their 10th game and elimination from the postseason in Week 14 is hardly surprising—the Browns have been a bad team most of the season. That the team turned the ball over three times, committed nine penalties, and squandered multiple scoring opportunities was even less surprising—the team has been its own worst enemy all year long. After nine interceptions in five games by Jameis Winston, some pundits are already calling for Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start the rest of the season.
“Winston is an old Porsche with no brakes and one functioning airbag,” Jason Lloyd of the Athletic wrote. It’s going to be a fun ride, but at some point, there will be a crash and it’s probably going to hurt. (Kevin) Stefanski said he did not consider going to DTR when the game was out of hand in the fourth quarter. The Browns have been high on him since they drafted him. Why not use the last month to take a look and see what’s there?”
Of course, we’ve seen Thompson-Robinson play, too. He has completed under 52 percent of his passes with one touchdown and six picks. He’s Winston—without any arm talent.
Analyst’s Take
The Browns were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14, but it’s felt like their season has been over since early October. I’ll give Kevin Stefanski credit for continuing to generate strong efforts amid a lost season, but keeping the locker room together in 2025 may also be challenging. Cleveland’s roster has several holes that will be difficult to fill in the offseason, as the franchise faces a significant salary-cap deficit. Expect the Browns to spend the final month auditioning several younger (or simply cheaper) players for the future.
USA Today - No. 27 (no change)
No team has a higher percentage of drives (73.9%) end without points … which is what happens when you commit 21 turnovers and miss nine field-goal tries.
Listed below is a summary table of where teams in the AFC North are ranked this week.
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What do you think of the Browns’ ranking this week?