The Cleveland Browns found another way to win a football game, and once again, Deshaun Watson delivered when they needed him most.
In their 2026 home opener at Huntington Bank Field, the Browns rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Carolina Panthers 21-18, improving to (2-1) on the season and winning their second straight game.
Watson wasn’t spectacular statistically, but when the game was hanging in the balance, he made the plays that mattered.
Finishing 16-of-30 passing for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns, Watson also rushed 11 times for 45 yards and did not turn the ball over.
His biggest moment came with Cleveland trailing 18-13 late in the fourth quarter. Watson led the Browns down the field before finding tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown with just 1:48 remaining. Watson then hit rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston for the two-point conversion, giving Cleveland a 21-18 lead it would not surrender.
Fannin Jr. was Watson’s most dependable weapon throughout the afternoon, catching 7 passes for 52 yards and scoring both of Cleveland’s touchdowns. The young tight end from Canton McKinley high school continues to establish himself as a major part of this offense.
Boston also deserves plenty of credit. After an impressive first two weeks, the rookie continued making important contributions, including the game-clinching two-point reception that put the Browns ahead for good. He finished the game with 2 catches for 41 yards.
But this victory was built just as much on defense as it was on offense, and Mason Graham was the major destructive force for that defense.
The second year defensive tackle repeatedly disrupted Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and made one of the game’s biggest plays when he recorded a sack on fourth down, stopping a Carolina drive in Browns territory. Graham finished with 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He now has 4 sacks in the first 3 games of the season.
Graham’s pressure helped Cleveland keep the Panthers from finding the end zone until late in the game, while linebacker Quincy Williams brought the speed and physicality Cleveland needed in the middle of the defense. Williams led the team with 9 tackles.
Ronnie Hickman’s interception of a Young pass on Carolina’s last possession, put the final nail in the coffin.
It wasn’t perfect for Cleveland though, as the Browns were penalized 12 times for 85 yards and were outgained by Carolina, 362-259, but they once again showed an ability to make the critical plays late.
Next up, the Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are also (2-1), in a nationally televised game on Thursday Night Football.
