Browns Make Notable Move In Latest Power Rankings
The Cleveland Browns entered the season with big questions, especially on offense.
They looked much better than some people anticipated in Week 1, and while the Cincinnati Bengals have never been a barometer to determine whether a team is a true contender, the Browns held their ground.
Unfortunately, outplaying them and being better than the Bengals in almost every aspect of the game didn’t get the Browns a victory.
Yet, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has acknowledged that they were better than anticipated, and he bumped them up from No. 30 to No. 27 in his power rankings.
“Silver linings time, Browns fans! Sure, Cleveland just outplayed the Cincinnati Bengals in just about every facet of the game. Out-gained the Bengals 321-147. The Browns converted over half of their third-down attempts. Yet in the most Cleveland way imaginable (two tipped-ball interceptions and a pair of missed kicks, including an extra point), the Browns managed to somehow lose the game. Yes, the Browns need a new kicker (buh-bye, Andre Szmyt). Cleveland also desperately needs Quinshon Judkins to get up to speed quickly. The Browns averaged all of two yards per carry on the ground against a bad Bengals defense,” Davenport wrote.
The Browns open the season with a difficult schedule, so this was a loss they couldn’t afford.
They were the better team, and there are encouraging signs for the remainder of the season, but with two divisional games, three games against highly ranked NFC North teams, and one of those games being played overseas, things don’t get any easier.
The Browns were at home, in front of their fans, and let a huge opportunity slip through their fingers.
That’s not the sign of a winning team, and head coach Kevin Stefanski will have to make sure to keep the morale high ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the powerful Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns are arguably much better and more competitive than most people give them credit for.
Now, they face a tough test on the road against Baltimore, perhaps the only other NFL team that squandered a better chance to win its opener.
Lions, WR Jameson Williams reach agreement on 3-year extension worth as much as $83 million: Reports
The Detroit Lions and wide receiver Jameson Williams have reached an agreement on a three-year extension that could be worth as much as $83 million, according to multiple reports.
The deal comes with $67 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Williams, 24, was entering the fourth year of his rookie contract with a fifth-year option. He's fresh off a breakout 2024 campaign, during which he nearly tripled his previous single-season high in receiving yards.
The Ohio State-turned-Alabama product eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career while totaling eight touchdowns in 15 regular-season games, three more than he played the year before and nine more than he played as a rookie in 2022.
Williams' deal is the latest in a long line of Lions extensions over the last two offseasons. The fourth-year receiver and 2022 No. 12 overall pick joins quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell, left tackle Taylor Decker, safety Kerby Joseph and defensive tackle Alim McNeill in receiving long-term commitments from the organization.
Williams finally erupted on the field this past season, but he's had trouble off it since he entered the league. After missing most of his rookie season while healing up from an ACL tear he suffered at Alabama, he was suspended four games in 2023 for violating the NFL's gambling rules. Williams was suspended two more games in 2024 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
Although Williams has yet to play a complete 17-game regular season, he's offered the Lions the kind of offensive fireworks they can't ignore.
Williams is best known as a deep threat and gadget player extraordinaire. Last season, he averaged 17.3 yards per reception. He also rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown in the regular season.
The last game he played, he was zigging and zagging and then somersaulting on a 61-yard trick play touchdown run that, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, actually covered 122.6 yards.
Although that highlight-reel play came in an NFC divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, it was yet another example of his game-changing speed, which has been on full display since he hauled in his first career reception, a 41-yard touchdown.
Williams swapped out his No. 9 jersey for No. 1 this offseason. He's got a new number on his chest and on his contract, and he's ready to take the top off more defenses in 2025.
