​It is Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season, and the Cleveland Browns rose another 5 spots this week, making that a total of 10+ spots they’ve improved after back-to-back wins. All teams in the AFC North are 2-1, but the Bengals’ stock took the biggest hit this week. Overall, the Browns went up by 5.1 spots from week-to-week to have an overall ranking of 20.7.Here is a summary of how the Cleveland Browns are viewed across mainstream media outlets in NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season.CBS Sports – No. 25(up 3 spots)Who had them going 2-1 to start, especially after the blowout loss to the Jaguars in Week 1? They are tied for first place in the AFC North.ESPN – No. 24 (up 5 spots)Fantasy surprise: QB Deshaun WatsonExpectations were low for Watson, who had performed like one of the worst NFL quarterbacks since joining Cleveland in 2022 and was returning from two Achilles tears. His ADP had him ranked as the QB29, but he’s the QB10 so far this season. Watson’s passing numbers (587 yards, five touchdowns) are modest, but he has turned the ball over only once, and he’s using his legs well. His 105 rushing yards ranks fourth among quarterbacks.NFL.com – No. 17 (up 6 spots)The Browns’ defense is back and playing a cohesive brand that rivals the best units in the NFL over the last two weeks. Mason Graham is off to a fantastic start, Jared Verse has started to make an impact and Carson Schwesinger picked up right where he left off in last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign. Deshaun Watson also seems to have rediscovered a fourth-quarter clutch mode we haven’t seen from him since he was in Houston. Cleveland’s offense needs to be better, but the Browns have definitely looked competent and earned the last two wins.Sporting News – No. 21 (up 7 spots)Deshaun Watson is putting the Browns in good positions to win in close games. Getting the Buccaneers and Panthers back-to-back brings some needed good offensive vibes under Todd Monken. Don’t forget about Mason Graham living up to be a defensive game-changer.Yahoo Sports – No. 20 (up 4 spots)The Browns have two close wins against the Buccaneers and Panthers, who are a combined 1-5 this season with the only win between them coming against a Cooper Rush-led Falcons team. Cleveland was outgained 360-259 by the Panthers at home on Sunday and caught a nice break that Deshaun Watson’s late interception was nullified due to a questionable roughing the passer penalty. If you want to buy the Browns’ 2-1 start that’s fine, but there are not a lot of signs that this is sustainable going forward.If there is an argument to be made that the Browns can keep this going, it’s their defense. After a horrific Week 1 against the Jaguars, the defense has been sixth in the NFL in EPA allowed per play over the last two weeks. Mike Rutenberg took over defensive coordinator job from Jim Schwartz this past offseason and the opening game was concerning, but the group has se