Watson leads Browns to 23-19 win over Buccaneers, securing his starting role
Deshaun Watson threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns as the Cleveland Browns upset Tampa Bay 23-19, keeping his job as starter ahead of next week’s home opener.
Deshaun Watson delivered a 238-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Browns’ 23-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa. Completing 24 of 30 passes for a 121.9 passer rating, Watson helped Cleveland move to a 1-1 record, while the Buccaneers fell to 0-2.
The win came after a 2-hour, 12-minute weather delay that halted play at the two-minute warning. After the delay, Watson connected with tight end Blake Whiteheart on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 3:51 left, putting the Browns ahead. The Buccaneers’ final drive ended when Baker Mayfield’s fourth-down pass to Emeka Egbuka fell incomplete.
Mayfield finished with 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception, posting a 73.4 rating. The victory also marked head coach Todd Monken’s first win in the NFL.
Watson’s strong showing, his second-best statistical effort in a Browns uniform, is expected to keep him as the starter for the upcoming home opener against the Carolina Panthers. The Browns will next host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.