Friday, October 15, 2021

Cleveland Browns Week 6 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Cleveland Browns rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 8.8 (9th)
  • Best ranking: 8th (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 9th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 6 roundup for the Browns in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 9

Most improved player: TE David Njoku

How they've improved: Though it came in a losing effort, Njoku continued his strong start to this season and delivered a career performance Sunday against the Chargers. He finished with a team-high 161 receiving yards on seven receptions, including a career-high 71-yard touchdown catch in which he shed a defender before racing into the end zone. Njoku, a first-round pick in 2017, has had trouble finding his place in Cleveland. At one point, he even asked for a trade. But as Cleveland's leading receiver through five games, Njoku might finally be hitting his stride. -- Jake Trotter

NFL.com -- Rank: 9

In wins over the Bears and Vikings, the Browns authored two of the most dominant defensive performances we've seen by any team all season. On Sunday, Cleveland's D entered The Twilight Zone. Kevin Stefanski's team surrendered 493 total yards -- and 26 points in the fourth quarter alone -- in a 47-42 insta-classic loss to the Chargers. Disappointing outcome aside, the Browns' beat-up defense should recover, while a huge bounce-back performance from Baker Mayfield and the offense offered promise of better days. If these Browns can put both sides of their game plan together, they'll be tough to stop.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

The defense, which was supposed to be much improved, is not. They have to be better on that side of the ball.

USA Today -- Rank: 8

In his four NFL seasons, QB Baker Mayfield has been on the losing side three times despite Cleveland scoring at least 42 points -- including Sunday's 47-42 barnburner against the Chargers. No other quarterback in league history has suffered such a defeat multiple times.

The Athletic -- Rank: 9

Breakout player: Well, sometimes we miss on draft prospects. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah sometimes got stuck on blocks and disappeared against top teams at Notre Dame, but it turns out maybe offenses weren't worried about anyone else. On the Browns, the rookie linebacker has been flying around and making plays at the line of scrimmage and down the field. He has 21 tackles, three pass break-ups and a forced fumble. He also seems to be OK after leaving Sunday's game with a throat contusion.

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