Dawgs By Nature
Jameis Winston injects hope that the Browns are a solid 2-6 team.
Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season.
CBS Sports - No. 23 (up 7 spots)
Jameis Winston to the rescue. He gave this team life, which begs the question as to why they waited so long. He is better than Deshaun Watson — and a lot cheaper.
ESPN - No. 26 (up 4 spots)
Best offseason addition: Linebacker Jordan Hicks
Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have provided the Browns with a linebacker duo that’s rarely out of place or misses tackles. Hicks has called defensive plays on the field and ranked third in tackles (19) through Week 4 before injuries forced him to miss three of the past four games. “Jordan brings a lot to us,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “He’s a great communicator, he’s played physical, he’s made plays for us ... gives us a lot of energy on the field.”
NFL.com - No. 27 (up 3 spots)
It’s difficult to underscore just how much has fundamentally changed with the Browns’ offense in the past few weeks. Amari Cooper was traded away. Kevin Stefanski gave up play-calling duties. Deshaun Watson was lost to an Achilles injury for the season, replaced by Jameis Winston. And it was Winston who led a stirring upset over the Ravens, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute. Winston’s mere presence was somehow cleansing and invigorating for a stagnant offensive operation, leading the Browns to a season-high 29 points (topping the previous best of 18) and leading to talk that perhaps Winston is this year’s Joe Flacco. Of course, the Browns had a 7-4 record when Flacco replaced Watson in Cleveland a year ago, so the comparison isn’t quite apt, given that they currently sit at 2-6. It would take a heroic effort for Winston to drag them back into the postseason — but then again, teams have recovered from that mark twice in NFL history before
Sporting News - No. 25 (up 7 spots)
The Browns hinted at what could have been this season had their quarterback play with Deshaun Watson been above average. Jameis Winston became their 2023 Flacco with sharp pocket passing to his key receivers against a vulnerable Ravens’ pass defense. Winston’s fiery intangibles have been a great fit with the team, too.
Yahoo Sports - No. 20 (up 10 spots)
Forget about the Browns’ record for a moment. They ate a 1-6 start trying to get Deshaun Watson to become a thing. Not that Jameis Winston is great, but he’s clearly better than Watson. This Browns team might be dangerous now, like last season with Joe Flacco.
Bleacher Report - No. 25 (up 7 spots)
Not much has gone right for the Cleveland Browns this year. The team had failed to score...
