Shedeur Sanders’ Struggles Continue
Shedeur Sanders faced a challenging second outing as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, culminating in a disappointing 26-8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the bleak result, the Browns’ positioning in several key Power Rankings across the league remained surprisingly stable. This latest defeat marked the team’s ninth loss of the season, solidifying the reality of yet another losing campaign.
Mixed Reviews in Power Rankings
In a surprising twist, two notable media outlets—ESPN and USA TODAY Sports—elevated the Browns by one spot despite their lackluster performance, placing them at 28th and 23rd respectively. This elevated ranking stands in stark contrast to the majority of the rankings, where the Browns saw their stock fall.
Sports Illustrated was particularly harsh, dropping Cleveland three spots to 28th. Other rankings reflected a similar sentiment, with Fox Sports and CBS Sports placing the Browns at their lowest, 29th overall. NFL.com and Yahoo! Sports both indicated a modest decline with the Browns landing at 28th and 27th, while Pro Football Talk (PFT) ranked them 26th, marking a two-spot drop.
AFC North Landscape Shift
While the Browns grappled with their woes, they were not the sole team struggling in the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens experienced a harsh reality check, suffering a 32-14 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving. This loss resulted in a significant plunge for Baltimore, who fell eight spots to 18th on Yahoo! Sports and six spots on USA TODAY’s list, landing at 16th. CBS Sports, PFT, and Sports Illustrated each docked the Ravens five places, with their rankings settling at 17th and 19th respectively. NFL.com, however, showed a bit more leniency, only reducing them by one spot to 14th.
Cincinnati’s Rise Amidst Turmoil
On a more positive note, the Bengals emerged as the only true victors in the AFC North, not just on the field but also within the Power Rankings. CBSSports recognized Cincinnati’s performance by granting them a six-spot jump to 21st, marking the largest gain of the week. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced their own setbacks, dropping four spots to 20th, according to NFL.com, their worst showing. Interestingly, Sports Illustrated was the sole outlet to reward Pittsburgh with a one-spot increase to 20th despite their 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland’s Next Challenge
As it stands, Cleveland finds itself at the bottom of the AFC North in all eight consulted Power Rankings. The team’s upcoming matchup against the Tennessee Titans, currently regarded as the worst team in the league, looms large. This game presents an opportunity for the Browns to address several pressing questions, particularly concerning their prospects in next April’s NFL Draft.
