The Browns beat the Buccaneers, 23-19, courtesy of two second-half touchdowns to record their first win of the season and improve to 1-1.
The Buccaneers had a chance to take the lead, but Cleveland's defense prevented a potential game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes of play despite a long weather delay in the middle of the possession.
After failing to find the end zone on their first eight possessions of the game, the Browns scored two touchdowns on their final four drives in the second half to secure the win. QB Deshaun Watson found TE Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard touchdown with less than four minutes in the fourth quarter to give the Browns a lead they didn't surrender. WR Denzel Boston tied the game late in the third quarter with a 55-yard touchdown reception to spark the Browns' offense and give them their first touchdown of the game.
Watson finished the game 24-for-30 for 238 yards and two touchdowns while Boston led the Browns in receiving with five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland's defense only allowed one touchdown, forcing one interception and tallying three sacks.
Key Moments
Defense comes up with big stop on last drive
The Browns' defense came up with a clutch stop on the Buccaneer's final offensive drive, preventing a potential Tampa Bay comeback.
On the Buccaneers' final offensive play, facing fourth-and-11, QB Bake Mayfield overthrew WR Emeka Egbuka in the end zone to end the game. The Buccaneers marched the ball 41 yards on 10 plays but Cleveland's defense held strong to secure their first win of the season.
Browns' offense finds end zone twice in the second half to capture first win
After the Buccaneers kicked a field goal to take a three-point lead around five minutes into the fourth quarter, the Browns needed an answer. Watson and the rest of the offense delivered just that with a 12-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to take a lead that they didn't surrender.
Watson extended the drive on what appeared to be a busted play on third-and-1 from Tampa Bay's 31-yard line, finding TE Harold Fannin Jr.for a 6-yard gain. Three plays later, Watson found Whiteheart wide open in the flat for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Browns the lead.
On the Browns' first touchdown drive of the second half, Boston broke the Browns' nearly three-quarter end zone dry spell, taking a pass 55 yards to the house at the end of the third quarter to tie the game.
Watson located Boston over the middle of the field on first-and-10, where the rookie bounced out of three tackles on his way to the end zone. After the Browns were unable to find the end zone on their first eight drives, the Browns capitalized with the explosive pass play.
Buccaneers open second half with first touchdown of the game
The Buccaneers' offense found the end zone less than six minutes into the third quarter to record the first touchdown for either team following a field goal filled first half.
WR Chris Godwin jumpstarted the drive with a 24-yard reception, followed by a 14-yard run by RB Bucky Irving to move Tampa Bay into Browns' territory on the first two plays. Mayfield capped off the 9-play, 65-yard drive by evading the Browns' pass rush and finding Egbuka open in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass.
Defense keeps Buccaneers out of end zone in the first half
The Browns' defense stood strong in the first half, not allowing a touchdown and limiting the Buccaneers to 126 net yards. After allowing two field goals on the first two possessions, Cleveland only allowed one field goal on Tampa Bay's next four drives.
S Grant Delpit, S Ronnie Hickman and DT Mason Graham each tallied sacks to help slow down Tampa Bay's offensive attack.
Cleveland's secondary played a big part in defense's first-half success, only giving up 39 net yards through the air and holding Mayfield to just 45 yards on 15 attempts with one interception in the first half.
CB Myles Harden intercepts QB Baker Mayfield for first turnover of season
The Browns' defense has preached that the ball is oxygen, and they need it to live. CB Myles Harden embodied that mentality late in the first quarter, intercepting Mayfield to force the Browns' first turnover of the season.
After returning the ball 25 yards to the Buccaneers' 28-yard line, the Browns' offense was set up with great field position. K Andre Szmyt capped off the Browns' ensuing drive with a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at the 13:59 mark of the second quarter.
Game Highlights
QB Deshaun Watson finds TE Harold Fannin Jr. for 21-yard connection.
K Andre Szmyt nails 50-yard field goal to tie the game and put the Browns on the board.
CB Myles Harden intercepts QB Baker Mayfield for Browns' first turnover of the season.
K Andre Szmyt ties the game with 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
DT Mason Graham sacks QB Baker Mayfield to force punt.
QB Deshaun Watson picks up the first down with his legs to keep the Browns' drive alive.
WR Denzel Boston takes pass 55-yard for the Browns' first touchdown to tie the game.
QB Deshaun Watson locates TE Blake Whiteheart in the flat for game-winning 17-yard touchdown.
Scoring Plays
CLE 0, TB 3 | Chase McLaughlin converts 59-yard field goal | 11:10 Q1
CLE 3, TB 3 | K Andre Szmyt nails 50-yard field goal | 7:12 Q1
CLE 3, TB 6 | K Chase McLaughlin makes 45-yard field goal | 4:02 Q1
CLE 6, TB 6 | K Andre Szmyt drills 34-yard field goal | 13:59 Q2
CLE 6, TB 9 | K Chase McLaughlin converts 31-yard field goal | 0:12 Q2
CLE 6, TB 16 | WR Emeka Egbuka 5-yard touchdown reception | 9:33 Q3
CLE 9, TB 16 | K Andre Szmyt makes 34-yard field goal | 3:45 Q3
CLE 16, TB 16 | WR Denzel Boston 55-yard touchdown reception | 1:23 Q3
CLE 16, TB 19 | K Chase McLaughlin kicks 31-yard field goal | 9:58 Q4
CLE 23, TB 19 | TE Blake Whiteheart 17-yard touchdown reception | 3:51 Q4
What's Next
The Browns will take on the Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in their home opener on Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.
