Browns Move Up In Latest NFL Power Rankings

The Cleveland Browns have already equaled their number of wins from last season, getting their fifth victory of 2026 in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. After winning just eight games over the past two years, the Browns could surpass that total as well.

Cleveland is also off to one of the best starts in franchise history, and is in first place this late in a season for the first time since 2014 and just the second time since 1994. So, there is a historic turnaround that is happening with each success.

But the Browns have also made an incredible resurgence within this season alone. After an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bleacher Report put Cleveland last, at No. 32, in their power rankings.

Now, entering Week 8, the Browns have moved up another spot in those rankings, to No. 12 from No. 13.

“Under first-time head coach Todd Monken, the Cleveland Browns have found ways to win one-score games. They won a nail-biter in Tennessee, keeping them atop the AFC North. At this point, we have to give the Browns more respect in the power rankings, even if questions remain about their quarterback and limited offense. Cleveland is 5-1 in one-score games decided by five points or fewer. Monken has a battle-tested squad,” Maurice Moton wrote.

Following that 34-10 loss to Jacksonville, none of Cleveland’s games have been decided by more than a touchdown. Its only loss in that stretch was 17-12 to the New York Jets in Week 5, and that was a contest the Browns were leading until a fumbled punt snap in the fourth quarter led to the deciding touchdown.

Cleveland’s 27-24 win at Tennessee on Sunday was the third time Andre Szmyt kicked a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. He added to his home heroics against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 27-24 victory in Week 4 and a 13-10 triumph against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson started his string of five game-winning drives with a touchdown pass to Blake Whiteheart in a 23-19 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. He followed that with one to Harold Fannin Jr. in a 21-18 victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

So, while their margin of error has been very thin, the Browns have shown they know how to end up on the right side more often than not, and it could lead them to their first AFC North title.