About the only good news in this game was DeShaun Watson's late-game strike to rookie Denzel Boston for a 46-yard touchdown, the Browns' only touchdown.
Cleveland (0-1) travels to 0-1 Tampa Bay next Sunday to meet the Buccaneers.
Brownie Bits
1) DeShaun Watson was lousy other than his late toss to Denzel Boston, but that's not my biggest worry from this game.
After all, I already knew Watson was terrible, and he proved it.
2) My biggest worry was the defense looking so bad.
The defense had been touted by some observers as not taking a step back from 2025 despite trading Myles Garrett.
That could have fooled me, as Trevor Lawrence had all day against an ineffective Cleveland pass rush that, aside from one sack by Mason Graham, couldn't reach Lawrence, who threw four touchdown passes and sat out much of the second half.
3) The Browns crowed about the trading of Myles Garrett as they patted themselves on the back for forcing the Rams to add Jared Verse to the deal.
I like Verse, and I'm not giving up on him, but he was a non-factor in this game, finishing with three tackles, one for loss, and the Browns will need more from him if they plan to improve this season.
4) Deshaun Watson's interception on the first drive was a bad one, as there was no one with an orange helmet in the area. The Browns continued to struggle to get downfield afterward, and only a garbage-time score to Denzel Boston gave the Browns even decent quarterback play.
5) Todd Monken announced after the game that he is sticking with Deshaun Watson for this week's game in Tampa Bay.
I'm ok with that.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have given Watson the job to start with, but since they did, I don't think it's fair to move away from Watson yet.
6) The Browns revamped their offensive line in the offseason, and it was not an auspicious start, as Zion Johnson was called for two holding penalties, Tytus Howard committed a key false start penalty, and allowed five sacks against DeShaun Watson.
7) The Browns lost their change-of-pace back for at least four weeks as Dylan Sampson suffered a knee injury, which placed him on injured reserve after the game.
Former Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was promoted from the practice squad to replace Sampson.
8) The two offensive gems from the 2025 draft had disappointing starts to their season.
Quinshon Judkins rushed for thirty-three yards on twelve carries, and Harold Fannin caught only two passes for twenty-two yards.
9) Perhaps the only bright spot other than garbage time scores was the impressive kick returns of Rocket Sanders.
Sanders returned one kickoff 74 yards and set up the Browns' first score, a field goal by Andre Szmyt
I'm interested to see if Sanders can continue his success.
10) I'm afraid this Sunday will see another beating for the Browns.
Tampa Bay lost their opener 33-27, scored lots of points, and has a motivated Baker Mayfield ready to ravage the Browns..
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