The Cleveland Browns rose in ESPN's NFL power rankings after upsetting Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Cleveland Browns (1-1) rose in ESPN's NFL power rankings after upsetting Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) in Week 2.
Cleveland beat Tampa Bay on the road by a final score of 23-19.
The Browns went from No. 32 to No. 29 in ESPN's NFL power rankings after taking down the Buccaneers.
Daniel Oyefusi, who covers Cleveland for ESPN, highlighted Deshaun Watson and his "risk-averse winning formula."
"In Week 2, Watson earned his first win since September 2024 with the lowest average depth of target (3.7) of his career," Oyefusi wrote. "At times, it has seemed like the Browns' passing game has been played in a phone booth: Watson's 6.7 air yards per attempt would tie a career low. However, the play style has limited turnover potential and allowed the Browns' young playmakers to get the ball in their hands. Cleveland ranks third in yards after the catch (260) through two games."
Watson went 24/30 through the air for 238 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in Week 2. Watson's second TD pass was to Blake Whiteheart with under four minutes left in regulation. It wound up being the game-winning play.
Watson has 443 passing yards and three passing touchdowns through two games. He has one interception and is completing 76.9% of his passes. The three-time Pro Bowler missed the entire 2025 season recovering from the Achilles tendon tear he suffered in 2024.
"Every week I'm getting more confident and more comfortable with myself," Watson said. "Like I told the team, I feel good. I'm healthy. I trust the work that I've put in the last two years and [if] you got to put the ball in my hands, I'm ready for it. So whatever we got to do to make the team win and keep the guys moving, I'm ready for it."
The Browns host the Carolina Panthers (1-1) in Week 3 in the team's home opener. Will Watson be booed or cheered by the home fans?
No one knows, but Watson is just controlling what he can control at this point.
“I'm just happy we got the win,” Watson said. “I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I'll leave the journey in God's hands and let the outcome be the outcome.”
