Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has been encouraged by Deshaun Watson after the quarterback helped lead the team to back-to-back wins.
Monken praised Watson following Cleveland’s 21-18 comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, while also acknowledging that the quarterback and offense still have areas to improve. “
“I’m just really happy for him,” Monken told reporters on Monday (via NFL.com). “Again, the work he’s put in, certainly he knows he can play better. We can certainly coach better around him. And all we’re trying to do is this week, clean up what we can clean up in a short week and be ready to go and be as fresh as we can be for Thursday night, to better put our best foot forward.”
The victory moved Cleveland to 2-1 and gave the Browns their first winning record since late in the 2023 season.
Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Carolina. His biggest stretch came late in the game, when he completed six of nine passes before throwing the game-winning touchdown to tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Through three games, Watson has completed 56 of 82 passes for 587 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He also has a 104.1 passer rating.
The Browns still have work to do offensively. Cleveland is averaging 18 points per game and has dealt with pressure on Watson, who has been sacked nine times through three weeks.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The offensive line will face another difficult test when Cleveland hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Monken has also indicated that the Browns have contingency plans along the offensive line if their current issues continue.
Cleveland enters the AFC North matchup at 2-1, tied with Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati for the division’s best record. A win would give the Browns another opportunity to build momentum around Watson and an offense that is still developing under Monken.
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