On the second play of the game, Deshaun Watson took the snap, looked left at a wide-open David Njoku and let his first pass of the day fly. The only problem was that Ravens' All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton had other plans.
The 6'4 safety leapt into the air, tipped the ball up and caught it all in one fell swoop to walk into the endzone. It was a disasterous start.
Things did not get much better for Watson. He would finish the first quarter one-for-nine for 19 yards and one interception. His second quarter didn't get any better. He would limp into the locker room at six-for-20 for 76 yards and an interception with the Browns trailing 17-9.
It was more of the dismal same from the the signal caller, who had yet to deliver a signature performance in Cleveland.
The second half set the stage for former Texan to do just that. Hobbled by an ankle injury obtained in the second quarter, Watson settled in coming out of the break. What followed was football perfection.
Watson was a perfect 14-of-14 passing for 139 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland had three second half drives that ended in points – two with touchdowns, including a masterful 17-play, 75-yard drive, and a final one that ended in a 40-yard, game-winning field goal by Dustin Hopkins.
A remarkable finish, to a remarkable game.
Watson the day 20-for-34 for 213 yards, one touchdown and one interception. On the ground, he would carry the ball eight times for 37 yards. His biggest carry was a 16-yard gain on the Browns' 58-yard game-winning drive.
When Cleveland needed him the most, Deshaun Watson came through. He looked every bit the player the Browns traded for last offseason and delivered a moment fans have been waiting for.
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