Deshaun Watson had a chance to help the Cleveland Browns pull even with the Houston Texans before halftime. Instead, two costly plays ended a promising drive without points.
After Cleveland fought back from a 17-point deficit, Watson overthrew a wide-open Jerry Jeudy, missing a potential tying touchdown. The Browns still had an opportunity to attempt a field goal, but with 11 seconds left, no timeouts and the team near field-goal range, Watson ran up the middle rather than getting out of bounds. Will Anderson Jr. brought him down, and Watson fumbled. Cleveland went into halftime trailing 17-10 without attempting a kick.
The situation called for Watson to protect both the football and the clock. An incompletion could have left time for another play, but the scramble ended the possession. The sequence drew sharp criticism from fans, including one who called the two plays among the worst they had seen and another who compared Watson’s running style to Lamar Jackson’s.
## Jerry Jeudy’s Big Play Gives Cleveland a Lift
Watson completed eight of 15 passes for 126 yards in the first half. A 65-yard connection with Jeudy accounted for more than half of his passing total; his other seven completions gained 61 yards.
That long play provided a much-needed spark for Cleveland’s offense. Watson later scored on a 6-yard run, bringing the Browns within seven after they had fallen behind 17-0. He also led the team with 39 rushing yards on five carries in the first half.
Cleveland had struggled to find its rhythm early. The Browns were held scoreless in the opening quarter as Houston built a 10-0 lead with a Nico Collins touchdown catch and a field goal. The Browns’ second-quarter surge brought them back into contention, but Watson’s fumble erased their chance to add points before the break.
## Todd Monken Stuck With Watson as Starter
Watson returned to the starting lineup against Houston after missing Cleveland’s overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints. He had cleared concussion protocol before that game but remained inactive after missing practice reps. Shedeur Sanders started in his place, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the 23-22 loss.
Sanders’ performance offered Cleveland an encouraging option at quarterback, but coach Todd Monken cited Watson’s work over the previous eight games when discussing the decision to start him.
“I anticipate him being our starter. That’s what he’s been. He’s been our starter,” Monken said Wednesday.
Watson entered Sunday with a 5-3 record as a starter and fourth-quarter go-ahead drives in each of his five wins. Against Houston, he went into the second half needing to help mount another rally after his late-half mistakes prevented Cleveland from completing its comeback before the break.
