Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, and added 22 rushing yards. The display is likely to keep him in the starting role for at least another week after growing questions about his future as Cleveland’s quarterback.
The 31-year-old had lost six consecutive starts before Sunday, the longest active losing streak by an NFL quarterback. His previous win as a starter came in Week 2 of the 2024 season. A poor Week 1 showing had intensified speculation that the Browns might turn to a younger option as early as Week 3.
Instead, Watson led a second-half comeback from a 16-6 deficit against his predecessor, Baker Mayfield. He completed 17 of 21 passes after half-time for 183 yards and both of his scores.
The first touchdown was a 55-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston late in the third quarter, tying the game after Boston escaped two attempted tackles. Watson then engineered a 12-play, 68-yard drive and found tight end Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard go-ahead score with 3:51 remaining.
Play was later halted at the two-minute warning by a lightning delay of more than two hours. When the contest resumed, Cleveland’s defence made a red-zone stand to secure the win and move the Browns to 1-1. Tampa Bay fell to 0-2.
Watson’s passer rating of 121.9 was among his best marks in a Browns uniform. It was also the first time Cleveland had scored at least 20 points in one of his starts since Week 10 of the 2023 season.
Head coach Todd Monken, in his first season in charge, had faced criticism after a heavy Week 1 defeat. Watson said he told Monken at half-time to “put the ball in my hands”.
The result eases immediate pressure on both the quarterback and the coaching staff ahead of Cleveland’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. Whether one solid afternoon is enough to reset a tenure defined by injury, inconsistency and a huge contract remains the central question for the Browns.