Ohio’s BEREA — Before Sunday’s game, a lot of people had doubts about Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, and his right shoulder. Was he going to be allowed to play the entire game, first of all? Another question was whether he could complete all of the throws required in an NFL game. The third was whether or not his shoulder could withstand being struck while he was throwing or using his mobility to run for yards.
Watson stated “I’m not 100 percent” following the game, but his performance provided answers to some of the unanswered questions Browns supporters had.
After the game, Watson said, “I’m not 100 percent,” but his performance addressed some of the unresolved concerns raised by Browns fans.
Cooper stated, “I knew he was back because he wouldn’t have thrown the ball so deep the first time,” after he threw one deep ball. Since I knew Deshaun liked to throw the ball deep, I said, “Okay, cool, let’s go,” after he threw that. He always does that, so when he threw it, I thought he must be in a good mood.
Watson took the snap to begin the play, faked an end-around handoff to receiver Elijah Moore, and then proceeded to move left in the pocket. Watson hit Cooper perfectly as he was breaking free, giving him a 59-yard gain to the 13-yard line for the Cardinals. After a sack, the drive faltered, and the Browns had to settle for a field goal from Dustin Hopkins to take a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Deshaun Watson of the #Browns reported feeling good both during and after the game.v5LltwoMsn on Twitter
On third-and-6 in the fourth quarter, with the Browns down 48, Watson zipped a pass between Budda Baker and Antonio Hamilton to Cooper, who completed it 49 yards to the Cardinals’ three-yard line. This set up Kareem Hunt for a three-yard touchdown run the following play.
Marquise Goodwin was the recipient of another long pass from Watson, but the explosive receiver was unable to bring the ball down and was injured in the play.
After throwing deep, Watson reported feeling good. He added that despite getting hit on a few runs, he was at ease and experienced no negative side effects when running.
He said, “It’s a part of football.” “I emerged healthy because I didn’t want to go out there and hold myself back due to the injury I had previously. I feel good, and all I have to do is keep moving forward and working hard every day.
The third concern was whether the shoulder could withstand blows from throwing or running.
Watson was hit five times after throwing the ball, but he was only sacked once. In addition, he was hit once after runs of four, five, and thirteen yards.
“Like I said before, it’s part of football,” he said. “One play can be a changing injury. So, like I said, when I step on the field, I’m not worried about that. I’m going out there and try to be the best I can be and try to make every throw and try to make sure that I go out there and have positivity for that energy for the offense. So, I’m not thinking about a hit or anything like that. I’m just going out there trying to execute the play.”
Next Sunday’s crucial AFC North game, which could play a major role in determining the division winner, will see Watson and the offence take on the tough, physical Ravens defence. Will Watson step up and take the game to the next level?
Watson’s return to the Pro Bowl form he showed with the Texans from 2018–20 has been evident in his last two complete games, despite a significant hiatus caused by a six-week injury to his right rotator cuff.
Sept. 24, Watson’s 27-3 victory over the Titans included two touchdowns on 27 of his 33 passes (81.8%) for 289 yards. If not for an accidental whistle that cost him and Cooper 40 yards and a touchdown, he very well could have had 329 yards and three touchdowns. In his first game back in full last week, he went 19-for-30 (63.3%) for 219 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals.
Watson completed 73 percent of his passes in those two games, totaling four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Despite having one fumble, he still ran 38 yards. His passer rating was roughly 115.0 on average in both games.
Losing All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin and Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb for the entire season, along with left tackle Jedrick Wills for roughly six weeks, has severely hurt the Browns’ offence. However, the Browns’ defence and special teams can win even with Watson playing smart football and not turning the ball over.
But in order for the Browns to win, Watson will have to perform at a high level in some games, and that might very well be this Sunday against the Ravens.
Leave a Reply