Do you believe in miracles?
Fans of the Cleveland Browns certainly do. The Browns have been solid in their past six quarters of football, and they did well to notch a home opener victory that has some believing that Cleveland -- yes, Cleveland -- could be on the verge of a special NFL season. Those good feelings could all go away after a week, however, if the Browns fall on their faces when hosting division rivals the Baltimore Ravens.
First-time head coach Mike Pettine told reporters and the public alike last winter that these would not be the “same old Browns” who have failed to post a winning season since 2007. Beating Baltimore at home would do wonders for Cleveland achieving that goal.
Where the Cleveland Browns are in Week 3 NFL power rankings: ESPN
Ranking: 26
The Browns get a six-spot jump in ESPN power rankings after defeating the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. First year running back Terrance West received love from the website following the team’s first victory of the campaign:
“Terrence West had 90 yards from scrimmage Sunday, the first rookie running back with at least 90 yards from scrimmage in Weeks 1 and 2 since 2008 (Chris Johnson and Matt Forte).”
With veteran Ben Tate nursing a knee injury, West has taken over as Cleveland’s No. 1 running back. That’s a role the rookie out of Towson may not be willing to relinquish when Tate is back at 100 percent.
Where the Cleveland Browns are in Week 3 NFL power rankings: Elliot Harrison
Ranking: 22
Whoa. The NFL.com writer is clearly impressed with what he saw from the Browns, bumping the club up seven spots in his power rankings from a week ago. Cleveland remains the lowest of the four AFC North teams in Harrison’s list. Harrison has the Pittsburgh Steelers at 20, the Baltimore Ravens at 14, and the unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals all the way up at 2.
Harrison pointed out that the Browns did not, as they did against the Steelers in Week 1, shrink away when under the spotlight that comes with facing a potential game-winning drive. Brian Hoyer was excellent when he needed to be late in the fourth quarter, and he has earned the right to be the starting quarterback of the Browns for the now.
Where the Cleveland Browns are in Week 3 NFL power rankings: Pete Prisco
Ranking: 21
Prisco sums up the hopes of the Cleveland fan base: “That was an impressive final drive against the Saints. That’s something to build on.”
Losing at the beginning of seasons has practically become commonplace for this franchise. Don’t look now, Browns fans, but the numbers suggest that your favorite team has about a 46 percent chance of qualifying for the playoffs. That is part of the fun when a side splits its first two regular season contests.
There is a big gap between 2-1 and 1-2 entering into an early Bye week. Cleveland beating Baltimore on Sunday could set the tone for the team’s final 13 games of the campaign.
Where the Cleveland Browns are in Week 3 NFL power rankings: Mike Florio
Ranking: 21
Florio ranked the Browns as the second-worst team in all of the NFL four quarters into the season. He has since moved them up ten spots in his latest NFL power rankings. While most analysts looked back at how Cleveland played against New Orleans, Florio is looking months ahead:
“If the team is still in the hunt after Josh Gordon comes back, things could get very interesting in December.”
The dynamic wide receiver, currently banned indefinitely for repeated violations of the NFL substance abuse policy, is set to have his suspension lessened. Gordon is expected to be back for Cleveland’s final six regular season games.
Where the Cleveland Browns are in Week 3 NFL power rankings: Chris Fedor
Ranking: 21
The Cleveland.com writer believes that the Browns can hang in the AFC North for longer than a week. “They are playing mistake-free, poised and confident on offense,” Fedor explains.
He’s right. Hoyer is completing under 61 percent of his pass attempts, but he hasn’t tossed a single interception this season. The offense of the Browns has yet to commit a turnover.
Good teams win turnover battles, and the Browns are +3 in team takeaway/giveaway stats two games into the season.
