The longer the Cleveland Browns continue to win games, the more they will become a topic of conversation around the NFL. Back in first place in the AFC North following their latest victory, the bandwagon is growing by the week.
Though it may seem like this turnaround has come out of nowhere, head coach Todd Monken believed it all along. From the moment he was hired, the 60-year-old vowed to change the narrative about the beleaguered franchise, and so far, so good.
With that in mind, ESPN host Pat McAfee is making a big claim about the Browns, saying that the Browns are for real and a contender.
“The Cleveland Browns are 4-2 and on top of the AFC North. The Browns refuse to Browns. Congratulations to the Browns. Have a missed kick, then have a made kick, Big Szmyt hits with a 37-yarder to complete a comeback. They were down 10-0 in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens with Snoop Huntley, and they get a dub. This Cleveland Browns team refuses to believe that they are the same old Browns. This team refuses to believe that they have to be a*s. They are a real team. They are a formidable NFL football team in Cleveland. The Monken experience has been great in Cleveland,” McAfee said.
Todd Monken STRIKES again…
THE BROWNS REFUSE TO BROWNS #PMSLive https://t.co/jvexaEhfE4 pic.twitter.com/ko5AORng4l
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 19, 2026
It hasn’t been easy, as the Browns proved again in their 13-10 victory over the rival Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday. Trailing 10-3 after three dismal quarters, Cleveland needed another late-game comeback, surviving two missed tiebreaking field goals by Andre Szmyt before making one on an untimed down following a Baltimore penalty.
After an embarrassing season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns were able to recover quickly, undoubtedly motivated by mocking comments from former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in his new role as an NBC studio analyst. Monken was eager to respond to those remarks, and Cleveland has won four of five games since then.
Holding wins against the Steelers and Ravens, the Browns are in first place later in the season than they have been since 2014. Cleveland has not won its division since being reinstated to the NFL in 1999, but it is in a good position to do so entering a Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Since 2020, teams that start a season 5-2 make the playoffs 76 percent of the time and win their division at a 44 percent rate. A 6-2 team makes the playoffs almost 89 percent of the time and wins the division at around 60 percent.
So, the Browns will continue to have a lot on the line over the coming weeks, which could make them interested buyers prior to the upcoming NFL trade deadline.
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