Players of the Game

Denzel Boston excels with big receiving day against the Buccaneers | Players of the Game

Deshaun Watson finished with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns

Sep 21, 2026 at 01:06 PM

Brian D'Aguanno

Staff Writer Intern

The Browns' 23-19 win over the Buccaneers had its fair share of impact performances that each played a part in the result. After trailing 9-6 at halftime, Cleveland fought back late to secure the win with two touchdown drives.

"The way our guys battled and finished the second half, so proud of our guys," head coach Todd Monken said. "That's a win for our players. This is a players' game, and our guys made plays and had a great week."

Here are five standout players on all three sides of the ball from the Browns' first win of the 2026 season.

Denzel Boston

For the second straight week, WR Denzel Boston led the Browns in receiving yards and finished the game with a touchdown of 45 or more yards. Boston recorded five receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown in the win, playing a pivotal part in the receiving game.

"Boston is, again, a heck of a player, a young guy that keeps improving each week," QB Deshaun Watson said.

After the Browns' offense struggled to find the end zone on their first eight drives, Boston scored their first touchdown on a 55-yard touchdown reception that tied the game late in the third quarter. Boston caught the ball near the 40-yard line and spun out of three Buccaneers tackle attempts, finding the open field on his way to the end zone. Boston leads the Browns with 154 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks.

Deshaun Watson

Watson was instrumental in the Browns' win, orchestrating two second-half touchdown drives that gave them the lead late in the fourth quarter. He finished the game completing 24 of 30 passing attempts for 238 yards and two touchdowns and added 22 yards on the ground. The game marked Watson's first with multiple touchdown passes since Sept. 22, 2024.

"It was good – we're just making plays. [I was] telling 'Monk' (head coach Todd Monken) at halftime to trust me with the ball in my hands and let me go out there and operate," Watson said. "Just let him scheme up and call the plays and I'm going to trust his mindset, and let's go execute."

On the go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, Watson marched the Browns' offense 68 yards on 12 plays, capping off the possession with a 17-yard pass to TE Blake Whiteheart. Watson converted on four third downs to keep the drive alive, including a scramble on third-and-4 and the touchdown pass to Whiteheart on third-and-2.

"He made some really nice plays with his legs," Monken said. "The first third-and-1 that he got to Harold (Fannin Jr.) that extended the drive. There were a couple of other plays that he made with his legs. I thought he was in control."

Myles Harden

CB Myles Harden played an impact role in Cleveland's secondary performance that limited QB Baker Mayfield to 182 passing yards on 34 attempts. In the first quarter, Harden read the eyes of Mayfield and leapt for the Browns' first interception of the season. The pick marked the first of Harden's career and was Cleveland's one turnover in the game. As the Browns struggled to move the ball consistently in the first half, the interception provided excellent starting field position that resulted in a field goal to tie the game early in the second quarter.

Then in the fourth quarter, Harden helped break up a pass in the end zone intended for WR Ted Hurst III on third-and-2. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a field goal, which allowed the Browns to take the lead with a touchdown on the next drive. Harden finished the game with two passes defensed, which led the Browns.

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Mason Graham

DT Mason Graham helped lead the Browns' defensive line and pressure Mayfield in the win, which contributed to the defense's success. In the second quarter, Graham sacked Mayfield as he tried to step up in the pocket on third-and-15 to force a Tampa Bay punt.

He also finished the game with two quarterback hits — a game-high for the Browns — and one tackle for loss. Graham has two sacks this season and has recorded one in each of the Browns' first two games. He leads Cleveland this season with the two sacks and three tackles for losses.

Andre Szmyt

K Andre Szmyt kept the Browns in the game during the first half as he converted on both of his field goal attempts, including a 50-yard attempt in the first quarter. Szmyt made each of his three field goal attempts and two extra points attempts, totaling 11 points.

His three made field goals in the game tied a career high, which he accomplished twice last season against the Steelers and Ravens. Szmyt has also converted on each his last 18 field goal attempts, dating back to Week 10 of 2025.

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Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) celebrate after an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 20, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium.