Despite Ugly Moments, Deshaun Watson Delivers Efficient Performance in Browns Win Over Titans

Quarterback Deshaun Watson had the best performance of his Cleveland Browns career against the Tennessee Titans. There were some ugly moments, but he had a good performance in a game where the entire organization needed it.

While it may not have been pretty, enduring a firestorm of criticism after his disastrous performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Deshaun Watson responded with an efficient performance to help the Cleveland Browns defeat the Tennessee Titans, 27-3.

This game was a step in the right direction for Watson, allowing an entire organization to relax for a moment and breathe for a moment.

The numbers look good. 27 for 33, 289 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns. His best performance since joining the Browns.

But there was also this.

Watson and the Browns offense still had too many negative plays and lost the turnover battle for the third game in a row, which is why they lost the game to the Steelers and will get them beat against better opponents.

The opening drive was emblematic of how much of a grind the offense was in the first half. 12 plays covering 48 yards, the Browns utilized a number of ambitious concepts including a reverse flea flicker screen to Elijah Moore. 

After weathering the storm initially, able to elude schemed up pressures from the Titans, Watson was able to find open receivers, which enabled the Browns to move the chains. Watson got the ball out quickly and he was able to convert a pair of third downs. The Browns settled for a 48-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.

The Titans dominated the line of scrimmage much of the game, severely limiting the Browns in the running game. Not having Nick Chubb was already a detriment, but the Titans front and their defensive gameplan wanted to put the ball in Watson's hands and make him beat them.

After a punt and a lost fumble by Elijah Moore, the Browns put together their first touchdown drive of the game with the help of some Titans miscues in the form of penalties, most of which were drawn by Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper.

The Browns converted a 3rd-and-5 with help of a penalty. After the horrendous loss of 16 yards when Watson tried to toss the ball backwards to Moore and missed, the Titans committed both pass interference against Cooper and roughing the passer on Watson, bailing them out a second time.

Now, with a third lease on life, the Browns and Watson didn't miss. The Browns drew up a play that had running back Jerome Ford lined up on the left sideline. He sold a double move and ended up wide open for a 19-yard touchdown pass, giving the Browns a 10-3 lead. 

From there, the Browns victory became inevitable. Watson continued to gain momentum as the game went on and the offensive protection found some stability. Trusting his protection and with his eyes down field, Watson was able to find open receivers and anticipate some throws.

It reached its crescendo when Watson capped off their third touchdown scoring drive with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Cooper wide open behind the defense. Cooper's seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown don't quite illustrate just how dominant he was in the game given how many penalties he drew throughout the game. He was also robbed of a touchdown score by poor officiating.

The Browns continue to be at a disadvantage in the running game with both running back Nick Chubb and right tackle Jack Conklin out for the season. Watson has to bear more of the load and be the central creator on offense.

Jerome Ford's ability to help in the passing game is helpful and he scored two touchdowns against the Titans, but he only ran for 18 yards on 10 carries in the game. Nine of those came on one play. If Watson can continue to improve and punishes teams for blitzing him, there should be more running lanes, but the Browns aren't there yet.

Watson still bets on his legs in situations he probably shouldn't and he needs to stop trying to save hopeless plays. However, he saw the field much better and looked more confident in the pocket.

Watson looked like a quarterback, which is step up from how he looked last week. He's still a long way from being the quarterback, but the Browns have time so long as they can continue to win games like this. Great defense, enabling the offense to find enough time to scoring drives to build a lead on offense.

If Watson can continue to make small improvements over the course of the season, he can get to the level he's showed with the Houston Texans, the level he needs to be to carry this offense and justify the investment made in him. This game was a positive step in that direction.