Deshaun Watson’s Two TD Passes Lift Browns to 23-19 Win Over Buccaneers
Sep. 20, 2026 Sep. 20, 2026 1:36 GMT Sep. 20, 2026 AP/ESPN
The Cleveland Browns beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 on Sunday night as Deshaun Watson outplayed Baker Mayfield and delivered decisive plays. Watson threw two touchdown passes, including a 17-yard strike to Blake Whiteheart with 3:51 remaining that gave the Browns the lead for good. The teams had traded field goals in the first half, keeping the score close through the opening 30 minutes.
Watson connected with Denzel Boston on a 55-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, and that play capped an 83-yard, three-play drive. Baker Mayfield threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka in the third. Chase McLaughlin and Andre Szmyt each contributed multiple long field goals that kept both teams within striking distance.
Chase McLaughlin hit a 31-yard field goal in the fourth to pull Tampa Bay within three before Watson’s late touchdown put the game out of reach. The go-ahead scoring drive covered 68 yards on 12 plays and finished with the pass to Blake Whiteheart. The victory moved the Browns to 1-1 while the Buccaneers fell to 0-2.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Watson’s big-play passing and the late fourth-quarter touchdown underscored Cleveland’s willingness to lean on his arm to produce quick-strike offense. Tampa Bay showed resilience with multiple field goals and a Mayfield touchdown but could not force a defensive stop when it mattered most. The Buccaneers will need more consistent offensive production and timely defensive plays to avoid an early-season hole.