Deshaun Watson secured his first win as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, guiding the team to a 23-19 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 20, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium. The game, delayed for two hours due to lightning and severe weather, saw Watson complete 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including a critical 17-yard fourth-quarter strike to tight end Blake Whiteheart. The Browns’ defense, which held Tampa Bay to zero points in the second half, clinched the win after the weather delay disrupted the Buccaneers’ final drive.
Deshaun Watson Leads Browns to 23-19 Victory Over Buccaneers After Weather Delay
Watson’s Second-Half Surge and Halftime Message to Monken
Trailing 9-6 at halftime, Watson delivered a pivotal halftime message to head coach Todd Monken, urging him to trust his ability to “operate” the offense. The Browns’ second-half turnaround began with Watson throwing for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-21 passing. His 55-yard touchdown to rookie wideout Denzel Boston tied the game late in the third quarter, while a fourth-quarter drive featuring four third-down conversions culminated in the game-winning score. Watson finished with a 121.9 passer rating, his third-highest as a Brown, and extended his team’s winless streak to six games.
Monken’s First Win and Watson’s Redemption Arc
Todd Monken, the Browns’ first-year head coach, earned his first NFL victory as Cleveland’s starter, praising his team’s resilience after the weather delay. Monken, who had previously avoided reviewing Watson’s past performances with the Browns, emphasized his belief in the quarterback’s potential. I want to go into it thinking every player we have is elite,
Monken said, according to the SI.com report. Watson’s performance marked a stark contrast to his 34-10 opening-week loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he struggled with turnovers. The win halted a six-game losing streak in his starts, a stretch that included a 2025 Achilles injury and questions about his job security.
Defensive Stand and Team Discipline
The Browns’ defense played a pivotal role in the victory, forcing Tampa Bay to turn the ball over on downs after the weather delay. The unit also limited the Buccaneers to 99 total yards in the second half, a stark improvement from the 150 yards allowed in the first. Cleveland’s offensive line, which had struggled with penalties in the first half, committed zero penalties in the second, a shift attributed to Monken’s pregame adjustments. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins added 44 rushing yards on 23 carries, while Denzel Boston’s 95-yard receiving performance highlighted the team’s offensive depth.
Context of Watson’s Comeback
Watson’s success came amid heightened scrutiny following his 2022 trade to Cleveland, where he has posted subpar statistics over four seasons. Despite a 3,365-yard, 19-touchdown season with 12 interceptions, Monken’s decision to start Watson over rookie Shedeur Sanders drew criticism. However, Watson’s leadership and execution in the Buccaneers game reinforced Monken’s confidence. Every week I’m getting more confident and more comfortable with myself,
Watson said, per the Yahoo Sports report. The Browns, now 1-1, will host the Carolina Panthers in their home opener next week.
