'So what, now what?': Monken wants to see what Browns, Watson are made of after improbable win

CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson tried to blame the media for his preseason and Week 1 struggles by saying there was “this expectation that I’m supposed to throw 400 yards, five touchdowns every week.”

Passing for 238 yards, two touchdowns and not committing a turnover will suffice.

While there are still plenty of flaws in Watson's game after two starts, he did enough while getting important contributions from his receivers to get his first regular-season win as a starter in two years as the Cleveland Browns rallied for a 23-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Whether it was a sign that Watson can improve and build on a turnover-free performance or that the Browns got their second wind after a 2 hour, 12 minute rain delay to make a late defensive stand remains to be seen.

“Do I love dealing with it every week? Of course not. You guys keep asking, which is a lot of fun, but the reality is, of course,” coach Todd Monken said Monday when asked if he is hoping Watson can quiet the weekly quarterback questions. “There’s a lot of football left in him, he just hasn’t played in a while. And learning our system and trying to get him consistent with his drops and his reads is part of the process.”

There will be plenty of eye-rolling after Monken referred to Watson, a 10-year veteran, as a “young player.” While there was improvement from last week's 34-10 loss at Jacksonville, there are areas that he needs to catch up on after missing nearly two years.

Watson completed 24 of 30 passes, but he had only four attempts downfield (11 yards or more). He was 9 of 10 on throws behind the line of scrimmage and 7 of 10 on passes of 1 to 5 yards.

Even though the downfield attempts were limited, he was 3 of 4 for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Cleveland's receivers generated 163 yards after the catch. Denzel Boston had 42 yards after the catch on his 55-yard TD, while tight end Blake Whiteheart turned a 3-yard crossing route into a 17-yard touchdown to give the Browns the lead.

Watson's 76.9% completion rate is third in the league, but his 6.7 yards per attempt is eighth lowest.

As Monken noted, Watson needs to be better in his reads, which have been slow while he often hasn't looked comfortable in the pocket. Seven of his 13 rushing attempts have been on scrambles.

“It’s a players’ game, and we've got a lot to clean up, coaching and playing, and we took a giant step from Week 1 to Week 2. The message when we come back Wednesday is, ‘So what, now what?’ Are we willing to take that same jump? Or is it now, all of a sudden, we’ve arrived, because it’s week to week,” Monken said.

What’s working

Rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have got off to great starts. Concepcion, the 24th overall pick in the NFL draft, leads the team with 10 receptions, including six on Sunday, while Boston has a team-high 254 yards. The second-round pick has two touchdowns, including a 55-yard score on Sunday where he caught it at the Bucs 42 on a post route and eluded three would-be tacklers.

What needs help

The run game. The Browns and Cowboys are the only teams not to have a rush of 12 yards or more through the first two weeks. Cleveland's 2.9 yards per carry is second-worst in the league and its 26.3% success rate on run plays (staying ahead of the chains) is the third-lowest. Second-year running back Quinshon Judkins has 54 yards on 24 carries.

Stock up

Nickel cornerback Myles Harden bounced back with his first career interception, five tackles and two passes defensed. The pick set up a field goal.

Stock down

Offensive right tackle Tytus Howard struggled in pass protection, allowing one sack and three pressures.

Key injuries

Cornerback Tyson Campbell (ankle, hip) was injured in the first half and came back briefly in the third quarter before sitting out the rest of the game.

Key number

18 — Consecutive field goals made by Andre Szmyt. He made three on Sunday — two from 34 yards and one from 50.

Up next

The Browns face Carolina on Sunday in their home opener. Cleveland has won the past two meetings, including 26-24 in the 2022 opener on Cade York's 58-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining.

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