It is Week 4, and last week, the Cleveland Browns were probably a few minutes away from being ranked as the worst team in football, on their way to being shut out. Instead, the script has flipped: they rose four spots this week, with an average ranking of 25.4, thanks to a stunning 13-10 comeback in regulation against the Packers. The victory this early in the season puts the Browns with a 1-2 record and technically tied for a playoff spot, meaning there is still plenty of time to turn the offense around. The defense, on the other hand, is for real.<\/p>\n
Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns<\/a> are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings<\/a> heading into Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n CBS Sports \u2013 No. 22<\/a> (up 6 spots)<\/p>\n The defense has been dominant for three weeks and beating the Packers was vindication for that unit. The offense does need to get it going \u2014 or make a change at quarterback.<\/p>\n ESPN \u2013 No. 26<\/a> (up 4 spots)<\/p>\n Biggest issue on defense: Only one takeaway so far<\/p>\n The Browns\u2019 defense has done just about everything right, including leading the league in yards allowed per game (204.3), but takeaways have been a point of emphasis. Safety Grant Delpit<\/a>\u2018s late interception on Sunday against the Packers gave Cleveland its first takeaway since Week 16 of 2024 \u2014 and a much-needed momentum swing. \u201cGrant got that first one for us, and I think they\u2019ll start coming in bunches,\u201d cornerback Greg Newsome II<\/a> said. \u201cI think the football gods are on our side right now.\u201d<\/p>\n NFL.com \u2013 No. 25<\/a> (up 6 spots)<\/p>\n Shelby Harris\u2019 late block not only dramatically changed the arc of Sunday\u2019s incredible win, but it also put him in rare air. That was Harris\u2019 sixth-career blocked FG try in his 12th season, making him one of the elite niche players in the NFL. But the Browns also have a young foundation that appears too good to overlook suddenly. We\u2019ll see if they got the QB pick(s) right, but so far, Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. have been fabulous rookie additions from GM Andrew Berry, with each of them having their fingerprints on Cleveland\u2019s dramatic victory \u2014 the first of the season. Joe Flacco still looks old at times, and the offensive limitations can\u2019t be ignored, but this win seemed to alter the outlook for this team.<\/p>\n Sporting News \u2013 No. 26<\/a> (up 5 spots)<\/p>\n The Browns<\/a>\u2018 defense has been competitive over the first three games of the season against the Bengals, Ravens and Packers. Myles Garrett had his group\u2019s efforts pay off, even without much of anything from Joe Flacco and the offense, which had to feel great.<\/p>\n Yahoo Sports \u2013 No. 27<\/a> (up 3 spots)<\/p>\n The Browns\u2019 defense is going to keep Cleveland in most games. And in some of those games the Browns will catch enough breaks to pull an upset. Cleveland shut down Green Bay on Sunday. No team will want to face the Browns due to that defense.<\/p>\n