Way-too-early 2021 NFL Power Rankings: Rams, Packers, Chiefs chasing Buccaneers

No team took as huge of a leap in 2020 as the Cleveland Browns did. The perennial losing franchise finally snapped a couple of long droughts. One was their streak of losing seasons which extended all the way back to 2007 when they went 10-6 — but that year, they still missed the playoffs.

In fact, it had been since 2002 that we saw Cleveland in the playoffs and they snapped both those streaks with an 11-5 campaign. They weren’t down there, however, as they won their first playoff game since returning to the NFL. What was even more impressive was they did this without their head coach as Kevin Stefanski was at home dealing with Covid-19.

Cleveland’s rookie head coach instilled a strong work ethic and extreme confidence in his team and was even rewarded with the NFL Coach of the Year honors. For the first time in a long time, things are really looking up for the Browns.

Baker Mayfield has developed into a franchise quarterback and they have the best running back combination in the NFL with Nick Chub and Kareem Hunt. They were already one of the final six teams remaining in the playoffs and if they can improve their defense heading into 2021, they can be a team to watch out for.