Browns Climb Power Rankings After Week 2 Win Over Buccaneers

Cleveland jumped an average of more than five spots in national NFL power rankings after beating Tampa Bay in Week 2 of the 2026 season.

The Cleveland Browns moved up in NFL power rankings across major outlets after their Week 2 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to the roundup, the team climbed an average of 5.4 spots week over week to land at an overall ranking of 26.0 heading into Week 3 of the 2026 season.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson was central to the improved outlook. USA Today placed Cleveland at No. 22 after a nine-spot rise, while NFL.com also moved the Browns up nine spots to No. 23. CBS Sports (No. 28), ESPN (No. 29), Sporting News (No. 28), Yahoo Sports (No. 24) and Bleacher Report (No. 28) all had the team rising as well.

Watson earned his first win since September 2024 in Tampa, completing 80 percent of his passes with two touchdowns. ESPN noted he posted the lowest average depth of target of his career at 3.7 yards, an approach that limited turnovers and helped Cleveland rank third in the league with 260 yards after catch through two games.

Yahoo Sports called it Watson's best statistical game as a Brown by EPA per dropback, achieved while the running game managed just 22 yards on 16 carries excluding his own rushes. Bleacher Report and Sporting News pointed to rookie Shedeur Sanders waiting behind Watson, with the Sporting News entry arguing Watson currently gives Cleveland a better chance to win.