Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Houston Texans 27–24 on Sunday, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 53 seconds remaining. The result was significant for Cleveland’s playoff hopes—and especially meaningful for Watson, who faced the team that traded him to the Browns in 2022.
Watson completed 25 of 40 passes for 312 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The Browns improved to 6–4 and entered their bye week with a 4–0 record at home.
## Todd Monken Says the Victory Was Meaningful
Head coach Todd Monken said he was happy for Watson, noting that the matchup carried extra weight for the quarterback and for other Browns players who had previously been with Houston.
Monken also emphasized the win’s importance in the AFC and its impact on Cleveland’s season. The Browns had been assigned six road games before their bye, making their undefeated home record another point of pride.
## Cleveland’s Defense Turned the Game Around
The Browns struggled early, allowing Houston to score 17 points on its first three drives. Cleveland’s defense responded by forcing five punts and an interception across the Texans’ next six possessions.
The offense also had a slow start, an issue Monken said he wants to address. He credited the team—and particularly the players up front—for helping Cleveland recover and finish with the late scoring drive.
