The Cleveland Browns defense stepped up when they needed it most, and DeShaun Watson threw his second touchdown of the game to Harold Fannin with 1:48 remaining as the Browns won their home opener over the Carolina Panthers
21-18.
Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and the two touchdowns.
Fannin led the offense with seven catches for fifty-one yards.
Mason Graham led the defense with two sacks as the Browns improved to 2-1 and will host Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Brownie Bits
1) The offense still has a long way to go, and while the Browns can't complain about winning, they still have to wonder about DeShaun Watson.
Watson didn't throw an interception and did lead the team to the game-winning touchdown, but...
2) Carolina dropped a few possible interceptions, and one they held onto was overruled by a penalty.
I know there are ifs and buts, but these things tend to even out over a season, and once interceptions start to be completed, things can go off a wagon quickly.
3) Watson has developed a connection with Harold Fannin and Denzel Boston, but he is struggling to gain a rapport with first-round selection K.C. Concepcion.
Concepcion was targeted nine times, but caught only two for nine yards.
4) Concepcion may be struggling, but the highly paid Jerry Jeudy was non-existent, as Jeudy didn't have a single pass thrown to him all game.
Jeudy carries a high dead cap number if he's traded (good luck with that) or released, so unless his attitude becomes disruptive, he'll be around all season, but it looks bleak for anything other than an occasional flash from Jeudy.
5) The Browns traded for tackle Tytus Howard in the offseason and gave him a contract extension after a mediocre year with Houston.
Howard was called for three false starts and seems to be a questionable decision as a full-time tackle.
6) Another offseason acquisition was playing well in Elgton Jenkins, but Jenkins is unlikely to play against Pittsburgh after entering the concussion protocol.
The Browns will likely start Luke Wypler as fifth-round draftee Parker Brailsford is still recovering from a broken hand suffered in training camp.
7) It might be time to reevaluate my opinion on Mason Graham, whom the Browns took fifth overall in 2025.
Graham sacked Bryce Young twice in this game and has four sacks in the three games after finishing with just one as a rookie.
Graham has been giving the Browns the power rush up the middle that many teams covet, but few teams possess.
8) The Browns pay Denzel Ward to be a shutdown corner, and he was just that in shutting down Carolina's second-year standout Tetairoa McMillan, holding the talented McMillan to two catches for seventeen yards.
9) The Browns might be starting to receive benefits from Mike Hall after middling results in his two previous seasons.
Hall didn't get to the quarterback for a sack, but pressured him several times and helped Mason Graham's sacks.
10) The Browns are surprises at 2-1, and a win over Pittsburgh would start the good vibes rolling.
Before thinking of that, consider the Browns wins came over opponents with a combined record of 1-5.
I'm not saying to not be happy, but let's see where we are after the Steelers game and a road game against the winless New York Jets.
