TAMPA — Nearly two hours of severe weather could delay Cleveland’s first victory of the season, but it could not prevent it.
The Browns rallied from a 10-point deficit behind two second-half touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson, then returned from a lengthy weather delay to complete a final defensive stand to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 at Raymond James Stadium.
Cleveland improved to 1-1 with a performance that looked vastly different from its embarassing 34-10 season-opening loss to Jacksonville. The offense still struggled for much of the afternoon, but the defense kept the game within reach long enough for the offense to find some rhythm.
The first half belonged almost entirely to the kickers. Chase McLaughlin connected from 59, 45 and 31 yards for Tampa Bay, while Andre Szmyt made attempts from 50 and 34 yards for Cleveland.
The Browns’ best opportunity came after Myles Harden intercepted Baker Mayfield late in the first quarter and returned the ball 25 yards to the Tampa Bay 28. An offensive holding penalty helped stall the ensuing possession, however, and Cleveland settled for Szmyt’s second field goal.
Tampa Bay entered halftime with a 9-6 advantage and extended it during its opening possession of the third quarter. Mayfield completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka, giving the Buccaneers a 16-6 lead.
Cleveland responded with another Szmyt field goal before its offense finally reached the end zone.
With 1:23 remaining in the third quarter, Watson found Denzel Boston over the middle for a 55-yard touchdown. Boston broke multiple tackles on his way to the end zone, and Szmyt’s extra point tied the game at 16.
McLaughlin’s fourth field goal gave Tampa Bay a 19-16 lead early in the fourth quarter, forcing Cleveland to produce its best drive of the afternoon. Watson responded by directing a 12-play, 68-yard possession that consumed more than six minutes.
The Browns converted three third downs during the drive, including a six-yard completion from Watson to Harold Fannin Jr. on third-and-1. Three plays later, Watson found Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard touchdown, giving Cleveland its first lead with 3:51 remaining.
Tampa Bay moved into Cleveland territory on its final possession before severe weather brought the game to a halt at the two-minute warning. When play finally resumed nearly two hours later, the Buccaneers advanced as far as the Cleveland 13 before an offensive holding penalty moved them backward.
Mayfield’s fourth-down pass for Egbuka fell incomplete with 18 seconds remaining, allowing Watson to kneel once and end an exceptionally long afternoon.
Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Boston caught five passes for 95 yards and a score, while Fannin contributed five receptions for 54 yards.
Mayfield finished 21-of-34 for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception against his former team. Cleveland sacked him three times, with Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman and Mason Graham each recording one.
The Browns allowed 313 total yards but only one touchdown. After looking overwhelmed against Jacksonville, Cleveland’s defense kept the team alive Sunday and eventually finished the job twice—once before the weather delay and once after it.
What’s Next
Cleveland will play its home opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field, with the game airing on FOX.
