Cleveland Browns, Colts moving up in Power Rankings builds up Week 5 matchup

Cleveland Browns-Indianapolis Colts is a big matchup in Week 5.

The Cleveland Browns have made their way to a 3-1 start, which is their best four-game start since 2001. Cleveland has won three straight games, which, since they’ve come back, is quite an accomplishment in itself.

Two of their three matchups, at home versus the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Washington Football Team, were not necessarily statement W’s, but the Browns got the job done. For this team, with their recent history in mind, that was a positive.

It’s evident that the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski are looking to establish the ground game, go to that throughout contests, and utilize play-action and take their shots to the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., in particular, from there.

And while Baker Mayfield hasn’t been putting up the most gaudy numbers, he’s made enough plays in Cleveland’s wins to help the offense cash in when the opportunities have presented themselves.

Defensively, while the Browns haven’t been world-beaters by any means, the rush defense has been encouraging, and Cleveland is currently leading the league in turnover differential at plus-six. Browns fans can, in large part, thank potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett for that, along with the overall group, too.

This upcoming game for Cleveland against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday is going to be another tough test, though, as last week’s game at the Dallas Cowboys was, but the style of play is set to be different.

Both the Browns and Colts come into this Week 5 matchup at 3-1 and are playing well in recent weeks with three straight W’s each, so this one should be a fun watch.

CBS Sports’ Power Rankings are building up this Browns-Colts game, too.

Cleveland and Indianapolis both moved up considerably in the latest Power Rankings for CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco.

Cleveland, powered by a ground attack featuring Nick Chubb, the NFL’s third-leading rusher, coupled with hard-charging Kareem Hunt, mixed in with some chunks off that in the passing game, and converting on turnovers, moved up a league-best eight spots as the come in at No. 10.

On the flip side, Indy, fueled by a stout defense, also an impressive offensive line, a promising rookie runner in Jonathan Taylor, and a ball-control offense, meanwhile, moved up six spots in Prisco’s latest NFL rankings.

Moreover, with the way both squads are seemingly on an upward trajectory following the 2020 season’s quarter poll, as this recent CBS Sports Power Ranking indicates, this should be a particularly entertaining Week 5 matchup.

As Prisco hit on, the Colts “haven’t exactly played a lot of top offenses, but the defense has really improved.”

Indy, who sits at No. 9 in Prisco’s Week 5 Rankings, has clearly benefitted from the trade acquisition of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. And Indy’s unit, particularly in the front seven with Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker, and company, has shut down opposing rushing attacks, as they’re fourth in opposing rushing yards per contest thus far.

That’s seemingly played into the group placing first at this point in pass defense, and they are first in opponent passer rating as well, with that being just 68.4, and they’ve been getting consistent pressure.

Offseason addition Xavier Rhodes has clearly been aided by a zone-heavy scheme for the Colts, too, and coupled with Kenny Moore, that’s a corner tandem that Baker Mayfield will need to be well-aware of when they’re able to peel off at times.

Anyhow, while the Browns offense has been very efficient these past three weeks, this Indy defense is going to be a really tough test. That’s even more so sans Chubb, of whom is now sidelined for about six weeks, as Prisco noted, and DPD’s own Nick Pedone noted reported details on.

If Kareem Hunt is healthier, though, that should aid the Browns, who did get some really nice contributions from D’Ernest Johnson last week even. But this Colts defense is hardly the Dallas Cowboys’, and Mayfield is going to need to turn it loose more.

Hopefully, on the other end of the spectrum, Garrett, Denzel Ward, and emerging playmaker, Karl Joseph, and company can contain Taylor, force the game into Philip Rivers’ hands more, who hasn’t had to do much yet, and prevent easy looks somewhat to T.Y. Hilton. The same goes for Zach Pascal, for instance, albeit Cleveland could have its’ hands full with Mo Alie-Cox at tight end.

In relation to special teams, the Browns flipping the field some wouldn’t hurt their chances, either, and heck, maybe Cody Parkey can remain batting 1.000 still through another week? Maybe that’s lofty.

At any rate, as Prisco/those CBS Power Rankings demonstrated, this Browns-Colts Week 5 matchup in Cleveland should be a fun one featuring two clubs that are trending up. Let’s hope the Orange and Brown can keep it going.