Browns reach highest point they’ve been in latest NFL power rankings

Cleveland Browns fourth straight win brought them a guaranteed playoff spot and a boost in the latest NFL power rankings.

Last week, the Browns dropped from No. 8 to No. 9, despite a win over the Houston Texans. Cleveland defeated the New York Jets, 37-20, for win No. 11 on the season. Cleveland has jumped to No. 4 in the latest NFL power rankings and it is their first time in the top five. 

The No. 1 seed is out of possibility for Cleveland, so now they’ll have a chance to rest key players in the final game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“My rule of thumb for surprising quarterbacks is to give it a month. Defensive coordinators with a month of sample size can take a game plan to a more effective place. What’s interesting is that Joe Flacco seems to be getting better thanks to his library of experience and the progressive knocking off of rust. What is his ceiling in this offense with a healthy receiving corps? Or, have we already seen the apex and are now due for the reality?” - Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated

Cleveland winning 11 games through all of the injuries is a testament to a strong locker room and good coaching. Losing the starting running back and quarterback didn’t derail Cleveland, instead they’ve won with a total of for different quarterbacks this season.

Though they’re going to be playing plenty of backups in the final regular season game, it’s still a game that Cleveland wants to win. The Browns opened the season with a win at home over the Bengals; a win in Week 18 would bring them the Battle of Ohio.

The Browns have woken up many folks who now see the team can win with Joe Flacco and a top defense. Entering the final week of games before the playoffs, the Browns are in a strong spot in the power rankings.

You can check out the rest of the NFL power rankings here, via SI.