Browns Sit Favorably Across Multiple Week 8 National Power Rankings

The Cleveland Browns are on a two-game winning streak and own one of the top records in the AFC at 4-2, but not everyone is ready to bring them into the top 10 of their weekly power rankings just yet.

Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr is one of them, slotting the Browns at No. 13 in his Week 8 Power Rankings.

That’s one spot higher than a week ago, and the minimal movement from Orr's perspective is due to the ongoing uncertainty about the QB position.

“Here are more extended thoughts on the Browns game. But basically, two things can be true at once: this team can be really good, and they can also have made a historic error at the quarterback position. We are nearing the point where I wonder if it’s not time to bring in someone during the trade deadline under the disguise that Deshaun Watson isn’t healthy, even though head coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that Watson would have gone back in if PJ Walker was hurt.”

The ranking of the Browns is debatable (as is always the case for most teams in any power rankings), but Orr’s concern about Cleveland’s QB position is fair.

Without average play from a healthy QB, the Browns could find their recent paths toward victories unsustainable. The Browns have largely survived the past two weeks from elite defensive performance, but they won’t be able to shut down offenses like they did against the 49ers every week. Nor can they bank on Myles Garrett forcing two fumbles and two sacks — and blocking a field goal — every game, which is how they overcame an overall rough defensive outing Sunday against the Colts.

Most of the other power rankings from national outlets highlight that concern as well — but still view the Browns as a top 10 team.

Here’s a rundown of where Cleveland sits elsewhere.

Pro Football Talk - No. 11