Browns Drop Multiple Spots in NFL Power Rankings After Saints Loss

The Cleveland Browns dropped another game this past week, losing to the New Orleans Saints on the road.

The game was tough all around, with both teams' offenses being stagnant for most of the contest. Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders started the game for the Browns, with veteran Deshaun Watson dealing with a concussion.

Sanders got the offense to wake up late in the fourth quarter, but a failed two-point conversion ended the chances of Cleveland getting the win. Now, the Browns are 5-4 on the season, sitting in third place in the AFC North.

With the loss to the Saints, the Browns have now fallen down four spots in a new NFL power rankings list from NFL.com. NFL analyst Nick Shook had Cleveland came in at No. 19 following the tough defeat on the road this week.

For the Browns, the team still has a lot to play for the rest of the way, but this team has to stop the bleeding quickly. Cleveland can't afford to keep dropping games, especially given how strong the rest of the AFC has been this season.

With an upcoming game against the Houston Texans, the Browns will have their hands full, even at home. Houston has started to play much better of late, with their defense beginning to look more like how they were a year ago.

It remains to be seen who will start under center for the Browns against the Texans, but it feels like Watson will get his job back. The Browns may want to see how Watson performs this week before making a firm decision on who should be the starter going forward.

If Watson does start, it would be a chance for him to face off against his old team on Sunday. Houston traded Watson to the Browns a few years ago, and the veteran would have a chance for some revenge this week.

Head coach Todd Monken has been quiet about the plans at quarterback, which could give the Browns a competitive advantage as well. Monken is likely weighing everything, but he will probably make an announcement sooner rather than later.

Sanders did enough to earn another shot, but given that Cleveland was 5-3 with Watson, the veteran could get the nod. Either way, the Browns have to find a way to get back to the basics this week; otherwise, the strong start to the season could have all been for nothing.