ESPN NFL Power Rankings: Browns Fall Again?

The new ESPN NFL Power Rankings are out. It is interesting how the national narrative will view Sunday’s game. Will they give credit for the amazing defensive performance or will they focus on the terrible way the offense played? It is also possible, like last week, they just focus on Johnny Manziel likely becoming the starting QB.

Will out further ado let us take a look at the ESPN NFL Power Rankings:

"19Browns7-6Last Week: 18Cleveland has one offensive touchdown in its past 29 drives with Brian Hoyer at quarterback. Hoyer is 0-for-9 with two interceptions in the red zone in his past three games."

Not surprising that the narrative is focused on Brian Hoyer. If the Browns won, likely the defense gets the narrative portion of the ranking for holding Andrew Luck and the Colts down. But it was not to be so the focus is on why the Browns lost and that blame falls squarely on the offense: Kyle Shanahan, Brian Hoyer, Jordan Cameron, Travis Benjamin and a host of others.

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As for the Browns actual ranking, well not surprised there either. The AFC is such an interesting conference. The top teams were rolling for weeks but most that the Browns are competing with for a playoff spot lost this week. The Browns only dropped 1 spot due to this, and likely respect for how the defense played.

The Browns are still the lowest ranked 7 win team but no teams with less wins are ranked above them, at this point.

The national narrative of this team is very clearly based on the negative history. The expectations is that the Browns decisions are based out of poor coaching, poor decisions or some curse. That narrative can infect fans and the way they experience the team and games.

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Where do you think the Browns should be ranked?