Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field at the end of the game against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field at the end of the game against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

. . Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 28. team. 53

Gosh, it’s still weird not to see the Cleveland Browns hanging out at the No. 32 spot in our NFL power rankings.

And, congrats. They’ve stayed out of the basement two consecutive rankings in a row. That’s saying something for head coach Hue Jackson and Co.

Talent-wise, the Browns are going to be much better in 2018 than they were a year ago at this time. Running back Carlos Hyde helps solidify the backfield, while wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon actually add some excitement to the passing offense. Sure, there are some questions along the offensive line, but two-thirds of the league can probably say that right now.

Defensively, Cleveland might actually be… (gulp) good this season. Second-year EDGE Myles Garrett has looked like a true No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick this preseason, and it was quite shocking to see the Browns defense hold the Eagles’ “starters” to zero points in their Week 3 preseason tuneup.

Yes, zero points. You read that correctly.

The question for Jackson, of course, is when he elects to hand the reins under center from Tyrod Taylor to the rookie, Baker Mayfield.

A guess would be not until at least halfway through the season. But Taylor is sharp enough to help make the Browns offense watchable to kick off 2018.