Deshaun Watson delivered another clutch performance on Thursday Night Football, completing 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown as the Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 at Huntington Bank Field.
The win improved Cleveland to 3-1 for the first time since 2021 and moved the Browns into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. For Watson, it marked his third consecutive game-winning drive, continuing one of the more remarkable comeback stories of the 2026 NFL season.
Watson’s Passing Stats vs. Steelers
Watson finished the night with 268 passing yards on 24-of-33 passing (72.7%), throwing one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating was 94.0. He also added 22 rushing yards on seven carries but lost a fumble.
The quarterback was particularly sharp in the first half, completing 14 of 17 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown—his most passing yards in the first 30 minutes since joining the Browns in 2022.
Watson’s touchdown pass came on a 2-yard connection with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the second quarter, giving Cleveland a 21-7 lead.
The Game-Winning Drive
After Pittsburgh rallied to tie the game at 24-24 with 1:44 remaining, Watson engineered a seven-play, 36-yard drive to set up Andre Szmyt’s career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
Watson was 4 of 5 for 46 yards on the decisive possession, including a crucial completion to move the Browns into field goal range. The drive was his third game-winning march in as many weeks, following late touchdown passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.
First Half Dominance
The Browns’ offense exploded for 21 points in the second quarter, their most in a single quarter since Week 13 of the 2020 season. Watson found Denzel Boston for a 60-yard completion to set up Quinshon Judkins’ 2-yard touchdown run, then connected with Fannin for the score that gave Cleveland a 21-7 advantage.
Pittsburgh added a field goal before halftime to cut the deficit to 21-10, but Watson’s first-half performance—which included a 130.6 passer rating—had the Browns in control.
Turnovers in the Second Half
Watson’s performance wasn’t flawless. He threw an interception and lost a fumble after halftime, miscues that helped the Steelers erase an 11-point deficit and tie the game. The turnovers contributed to Pittsburgh’s comeback, but Watson’s late-game poise ultimately bailed out the Browns.
Season Stats Through Week 4
Through four games, Watson has completed 76.9% of his passes for 443 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, posting a passer rating of 112.9. He has also rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries.
The numbers represent a significant improvement from Watson’s first three seasons in Cleveland, which were marred by suspension, injuries, and inconsistent play. He entered 2026 having played just 19 games for the Browns since being acquired from Houston in 2022.
Mental Health Journey
Watson has been candid about the mental challenges of his comeback. After tearing his right Achilles tendon twice—once in 2024 and again during rehab in January 2025—he missed all of the 2025 season.
“I don’t think it has never really been the physical part,” Watson said in an interview with Taylor Rooks. “I was dealing with a lot. I was dealing with the world kind of flipping against me. It was hard, honestly.”
Browns fans had largely favored rookie Shedeur Sanders to start the 2026 season, and Watson acknowledged the difficulty of winning back the locker room and fanbase.
What’s Next
The Browns will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Cleveland’s defense, which sacked Aaron Rodgers five times on Thursday, has been a key factor in the team’s surprising start.
For Watson, the focus remains on sustaining his momentum and proving he can be more than a short-term answer at quarterback. The Browns have won three straight, and Watson has been at the center of each victory.
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