ESPN Moves Browns Up Despite Loss To Jets

The Browns are beginning to get some respect, even from the talking heads over at the 4-letter network.  ESPN's power rankings were released, and despite losing to the New York Jets in OT last Sunday the Browns actually moved up a spot from #23 to #22.  Even better was the comment that went along with it:

Playoff contenders want to avoid Cleveland in the second half of the season.

So true, indeed.  The Steelers and Ravens will have to face the Browns in the 2nd half of the season, with both coming to Cleveland in the coming weeks.

As for the top of the rankings, for the first time all season the Atlanta Falcons are #1.  Atlanta came back in the final minute to beat the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday night and are one of three 7-2 teams heading into Week 11.  The Patriots jumped 4 spots to come in at #2 with the Jets, Ravens and Steelers rounding out the Top-5.

That means the Browns have played all 5 of the top teams in the NFL Power Rankings, and with the Saints at #9, they've faced six of the Top-10.  They'll get a bit of a reprieve this week with a trip to Jacksonvill to face the 18th ranked Jaguars.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 11 - Patriots Rise, Eagles Soar, Browns Drop Slightlys

NFL Power Rankings for this week are starting to trickle in and one thing is obvious - most people think the New England Patriots are the best team in football - at least this week.  Hard to believe, especially considering the Browns throttled the Patriots just 8 days ago.  That's what a dominating performance, on the road, in primetime, will do for you.  New England's 39-26 beatdown of the Steelers was impressive - until Michael Vick and the Eagles destroyed the Reskins 59-28 last night on Monday Night Football.

Vicks' performance was one for the ages as the Eagles did just about anything they wanted to do against Washington.  In SBNation's Power Rankings, released earlier today, it was enough to propel the Eagles  five spots to #5 on this week's list.

As for the Browns?  In the midst of the toughest stretch of any team in the NFL this year, the Browns actually did themselves proud going 2-3 against Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, New England and the New York Jets.  Not too shabby.

Joel Thorman, who does the rankings for SBNation.com, has the Browns at #21, down one spot form a week ago:

Is this the hardest five game stretch in all of football? The Browns last five games: Falcons, Steelers, Saints, Patriots and Jets. The Browns went 2-3 in that stretch with an OT loss to the Jets last week. This team is getting close.

He's right.  More Power Rankings as they are released.