Deshaun Watson led the Cleveland Browns to a 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers in their Week 2 home opener, delivering a late-game comeback that shifted fan sentiment from criticism to praise. Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions, while adding 45 rushing yards in the game.
The Browns' victory followed a preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on August 22, where Watson was booed repeatedly during his first NFL appearance since tearing his Achilles in October 2024. After that game, Watson called the boos “disrespectful” and “personal”, stating the same fans had cheered when he got injured. He later apologized for the remarks, but criticism persisted.
Fan Reaction Shifts
Watson acknowledged postgame that the home crowd’s reception left him “a little teary-eyed”, crediting the energy for his performance. “It's amazing, I mean it's great,” he told reporters. “I just wanted to finish the job for 'em. So, yeah, it was one moment I got a little teary-eyed. Just feeling that energy, you know, I put so much work to get back here.”
The Browns improved to 2-1 with the win, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Watson’s Performance and Fan Dynamics
Watson’s Week 2 outing marked his second consecutive victory after overcoming early-season skepticism. His two-touchdown passing performance and rushing contribution were cited as key factors in the Browns’ win. The home crowd’s shift in tone—from boos to chants of “Let’s go Watson”—was noted by observers, with Watson stating he “didn’t hear any” of the earlier negativity.
The game also featured a controversial moment when Carolina edge rusher Princely Umanmielen was seen on replays grabbing and twisting Watson’s facemask during a third-down sack, though no penalty was called. Watson later emphasized his focus on delivering a win, stating, “I was hearing the crowd, the yelling, the positivity. That's my main focus.”
The Browns’ defense held firm in the final minutes, securing the narrow victory after Watson’s go-ahead touchdown drive.