Browns NFL Power Rankings: Cleveland doesn’t suck any more

It is Week 18, and the Cleveland Browns moved up 2.1 spots to 26.9 overall on average in this week’s power rankings. After beating the Steelers, apparently, we don’t suck as much any more. It’s that long-standing belief I’ve had in which everyone knew the Browns’ defense was good enough to warrant a higher ranking, and all it takes is one win here and there to propel Cleveland up the rankings. It’s just that those wins came too far and few between. The Browns now have two wins this season over potential playoff teams — one from the AFC and one from the NFC.

Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season.

CBS Sports – No. 28 (up 3 spots)

They did their best to ruin the Steelers’ season by winning Sunday. The defense showed up again in that one.

ESPN – No. 27 (up 2 spots)

What we learned this season: The Browns’ offense is due for major changes.

Cleveland produced the league’s lowest-scoring offense last season and opted for only a few renovations. The team promoted Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator and made most of its additions through the draft, hoping a return to coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system would produce better results. Instead, the Browns cycled through three quarterbacks as widespread issues, from protection to lack of playmakers, were once again exposed for what is now the league’s second-lowest-scoring offense. That’s a major reason the Browns are likely headed for a thorough makeover on offense.

NFL.com – No. 27 (up 2 spots)

The Browns enjoyed playing the role of spoilers, even if they let the Ravens know on socials that this was no favor to their hated divisional rivals. It was another sub-17-point performance on offense, but the defense rose to the challenge and stunted the Steelers — though Myles Garrett was unable to break the sack record, seemingly facing a crowd of blockers on most pass plays. The loss hurt the Browns’ draft outlook and could keep them out of range for a quarterback, although they have the picks to move up if they so desire. Where Cleveland goes at that position in the offseason will be fascinating, especially with Shedeur Sanders doing enough good things to suggest he could be part of the solution. Then again, when it comes to the Browns, it’s anyone’s guess as to how it’ll all unfold.

Sporting News – No. 26 (up 2 spots)

The Browns aren’t quitting at all and the defense is giving Shedeur Sanders a chance to carry his starting QB job in 2026. Myles Garrett should get his record sack in Week 18 and there’s a chance now that Kevin Stefanski gets another season.

Yahoo Sports – No. 26 (up 1 spot)

Cleveland hasn’t had a great season, but a win over the Steelers to keep their rival from clinching the AFC North title is a great highlight. Its defense came up big, keeping Pittsburgh out of the end zone. There are some pieces to start building around, including a strong 2025 rookie class. The only remaining business for the finale is getting Myles Garrett one more sack. He is a half-sack short of the NFL single-season record after getting just a half of a sack over Cleveland’s past two games.

Bleacher Report – No. 29 (up 1 spot)

At day’s end, all Cleveland’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers did was cost the Browns draft position. It didn’t fix the team’s myriad issues. Didn’t solve the team’s quarterback dilemma. Or decide the future of an embattled head coach and front office. It didn’t even result in the single-season sack record for Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett.

The real problem in Cleveland is that 2026 is probably another lost year. You can blow things up, fire Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry and draft a quarterback early—enduring the growing pains that come with it. Or trade back (potentially), acquire assets for a 2027 draft that appears far deeper under center and hope that a stopgap quarterback and improved roster around him can produce a measure of respectability.

USA Today – No. 25 (up 4 spots)

The notion of firing two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski seems insane given the green roster he’s been working with this year − particularly given its potential to blossom in 2026 with the right QB pulling the trigger.

Listed below is a summary table of where teams in the AFC North are ranked this week.

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	Bengals	Browns	Ravens	Steelers
CBS Sports	20	28	16	14
ESPN	23	27	14	13
NFL.com	22	27	14	13
Sporting News	25	26	14	13
Yahoo Sports	19	26	15	13
Bleacher Report	24	29	15	13
USA Today	20	25	14	13
Average	21.9 (up 1.0)	26.9 (up 2.1)	14.6 (up 2.3)	13.1 (down 0.1)

What do you think of the Browns’ ranking this week?