Are the Cleveland Browns now America’s Team?

The Cleveland Browns not only captivated their fans with a big win on Thursday Night, but they owned television ratings around the nation in their comeback

Fans were seen all over the city celebrating the huge Thursday Night Football win for the Cleveland Browns. Even with the masses turned out there, plenty tuned in on television to watch around the country.

With Baker Mayfield taking over under center, it didn’t take long for people to start tuning in. And the numbers supported that as the Browns were close to winning, America cared even more.

Joey Morona of Cleveland.com reported that the final six minutes of the game saw more than 10.3 million tuned in. When all was said and done, the NFL Media shared that it was the highest viewed game since 2015.

What makes these numbers impressive is that week after week, we hear about the viewership dwindling. Then we get fed the fact that streaming services and local views may have skewed these numbers.

As Morona pointed out, these numbers also don’t include such things.

That means so far this season — and since 2015 — no team has drawn eyes to the television like the Browns did when winning. So, does this make them the new ‘America’s Team?’

Well, obviously that nickname belongs to the Dallas Cowboys and the Browns aren’t taking that moniker. What it does show is that America surely is interested in this team.

Maybe it’s the allure of Baker Mayfield — the most charismatic quarterback the Browns have had in years (no Johnny Manziel doesn’t count because dumpster fire does not equal charismatic). Maybe it’s the underdog story of a team that hadn’t won in 635 days, or the additional fans cheering them on after being on’ Hard Knocks.’

Whatever the reason, America is watching the Browns and it’s not crazy to say the whole country was rooting for them on Thursday Night Football.

The best part of that, however, is that this feels like only the beginning for this team. Good things are in store.