Nothing changes the tone around a football team quite like its first win. A week ago, the Browns were coming off a lopsided loss in Jacksonville, and the conversation in Cleveland centered on how many games they might lose. One rain-soaked afternoon in Tampa Bay flipped that conversation, at least for now. The national outlets have noticed, even if they are not ready to buy in completely.
Bradley Locker moved Cleveland from No. 31 to No. 29 in PFF’s latest power rankings, giving the Browns a 17 percent chance to reach the playoffs.
“The Browns showed that they aren’t willing to be down and out for all of 2026, upsetting the Buccaneers in a rain-soaked Tampa afternoon. While Cleveland did prevail, the larger outlook is still gloomy given the team is 23rd or worse in EPA per play on both sides of the ball. In terms of quarterback, Deshaun Watson seemed to give himself at least one more game after earning an 88.8 PFF passing grade in Week 2,” Locker wrote.
A 2-spot climb is modest, but it reflects how quickly the Browns changed the story of their season. After the 34-10 loss to the Jaguars in Week 1, Cleveland looked like a team headed for the bottom of every ranking in the league. Sunday was different. The Browns trailed 16-6 in the 3rd quarter before Watson found Denzel Boston for a 55-yard touchdown and later hit a wide-open Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard score off play-action. The defense then held on after a late weather delay to secure the 23-19 win.
Watson outplayed Baker Mayfield on the road, and his connection with Boston is quickly becoming the most dangerous part of the offense.
Still, the skepticism is fair. The running game is the biggest concern, as an offensive line with 5 new starters is still finding its footing. Quinshon Judkins has had very little room to work.
The defense under Mike Rutenberg has been inconsistent as well.
That makes Sunday’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers important. Another strong outing would give Todd Monken an easy decision at quarterback. A step back would restart the debate immediately.
The Browns now sit ahead of the Titans, Cardinals and Dolphins in the power rankings. Climbing further will take more than one good afternoon, but for a team many wrote off after Week 1, those 17 percent playoff odds are a reminder that 2026 is far from decided.
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