The Cleveland Browns secured their first win of the 2026 season with a 23-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes in the comeback.

Speaking on Nightcap, Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe stressed that Watson could not rely on just his Week 2 performance. Noting, that the NFL was a "prove-it league," and that he must keep proving himself each week:

“I don't care how old or how young [you are], you got to play well. This is a prove-it league. You got to update your resume. Don't nobody care what you did last week, last month, last year. What are you going to do this week?”

Sharpe said that question matters to Watson’s teammates, coaches and fans. He wants Cleveland to see more of the quarterback who performed well against Tampa Bay.

The Hall of Famer also hoped he would get to see the same quarterback from Week 2 and not the one that showed up against the Jacksonville Jaguars:

“I just know that in order for them to win, we need to see more of this Deshaun, what we saw in Tampa, as opposed to that old Deshaun. That guy in Jacksonville, they won't win another game.”

Watson now has a chance to build on his Tampa Bay performance in Week 3.

Deshaun Watson’s Week 2 Performance

Deshaun Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay. He added 22 rushing yards and led two second-half touchdown drives.

Watson connected with Denzel Boston for a 55-yard touchdown to tie the game. He then found Blake Whiteheart for the 17-yard go-ahead score.

The performance gave Cleveland its first win of the season. Watson will look to carry that form into Week 3.

Written by

Sayantan