CLEVELAND — One week after opening the season with a miserable 34-10 loss in Jacksonville, the Browns responded with the type of victory that can bring a locker room together.
Cleveland overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat Tampa Bay 23-19, scoring touchdowns on two of its final four possessions. Deshaun Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard strike to Denzel Boston and the game-winning 17-yard score to Blake Whiteheart.
The Browns then waited through a nearly two-hour weather delay before their defense returned to the field and stopped Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers on fourth down. Cleveland allowed only one touchdown, intercepted Mayfield and recorded three sacks during a much-needed bounce-back performance.
The difficult week and unusual finish made for an emotional celebration afterward. Head coach Todd Monken praised the Browns for trusting the process and told his players, “There is not a group I would rather have out there at the end than our group.”
Monken then awarded a game ball to everyone in the locker room as Cleveland celebrated its first victory of the season:
The Browns will play their home opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field.
