NFL Power Rankings: Cleveland Browns keep status quo
By Thomas Moore
Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) passes to tight end Rob Housler (84) against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns held steady in the weekly NFL Power Rankings.
The Cleveland Browns hoped to have a quiet bye week to allow the coaching staff and players to recharge for the season’s final six games.
That all changed, of course, when video of quarterback Johnny Manziel partying surfaced, head coach Mike Pettine demoted Manziel from starter to third string, and Browns Twitter went up in flames.
So Manziel is out, Josh McCown is back in, and the Browns are getting ready to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football in front of the home fans.
The last time McCown faced the Ravens, all he did was throw for a franchises record 457 yards in leading Cleveland to the win.
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“You want to get a win for our team, for the guys in the locker room and for the fans and the people that support us,” McCown said. “The city has been awesome in how they support us and we need to put a good product out there and win the football game. That is my focus.”
While the Browns get ready for their next game, let’s check in on the weekly NFL Power Rankings. It’s important to point out that these rankings were posted before the news broke about the quarterback change.
Elliott Harrison at NFL.com (31, up 1):
"Cleveland flies up the rankings (… which, of course, means they were on a bye). The big news of the off week in Cleveland was the ascension of Johnny Manziel into the starter’s seat at quarterback. Well, perhaps “ascension” is a bit strong, given Mike Pettine’s lackluster desire to go with Johnny Football in the first place."
"While all that goes on, many fans have failed to notice the brilliant play of Gary Barnidge — his seven touchdowns trail only Rob Gronkowski and Tyler Eifert among tight ends. (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 7, Baltimore No. 29)"
Frank Schwab at Yahoo Sports (31, no change):
"Cornerback Justin Gilbert, a 2014 first-round pick who went ahead of Odell Beckham, among others, has played 32 snaps all season for a bad team. And 23 of those came in one game. Because of the team’s other first-round pick last year, Gilbert doesn’t get a ton of attention. But he’s going down as an all-time bad pick. (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 6, Baltimore No. 30)"
Sean Tomlinson at Bleacher Report (32, no change):
"The Cleveland Browns spent their Week 11 bye thinking about a bleak future that will likely be filled with more losing this season, possibly followed by a fired coach or two."
"So they made the only sensible decision at this point: The Browns handed Johnny Manziel the keys to their offense."
"The second-year quarterback is still flawed as a passer, often making poor reads or simply not seeing open receivers while leaning on his athleticism too heavily. But he did much, much more than enough against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10 with his 8.2 yards per attempt and completion percentage of 73.3, and it’s far past time to give him an opportunity to develop in game situations."
"If he can’t do that, the Browns will find themselves in a familiar situation next spring. They’ll have a high draft pick and no direction at the most important offensive position. (Cincinnati No. 5, Pittsburgh No. 7, Baltimore No. 29)"
"Since the Browns were on a bye in Week 11, they were not graded this week. (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 32)"
Pete Prisco at CBS Sports (32, no change):
"It’s Johnny Manziel’s team the rest of the way. He has to show he is the quarterback of the future, or they will be drafting one. (Cincinnati No. 4, Pittsburgh No. 8, Baltimore No. 30)"
"Johnny Manziel was named the starting QB the rest of the season during the Browns’ bye week. Manziel will make his Monday night debut in Week 12 against the Ravens. (Cincinnati No. 5 Pittsburgh No. 9, Baltimore No. 30)"