Deshaun Watson showed a significant improvement in Week 2, helping the Cleveland Browns erase a 16-6 deficit and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19. He completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards, had two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

That followed a difficult Week 1 outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson threw for 205 yards, had one touchdown, and one interception in Cleveland’s 34-10 loss.

The improved performance gives Watson something to build on, with Browns fans still skeptical of him. Meanwhile, NFL veteran Joe Thomas discussed that potential shift while speaking on The Jim Rome Show.

Thomas acknowledged the negativity surrounding Watson’s contract, the trade Cleveland made for him, and his time with the team. However, he believes winning can change the way fans view the quarterback:

“Winning's the ultimate deodorizer. It deodorizes all the stink from the team, from a player, from issues that you've had off the seat, off the field, issues that you've had on the field. But you know how you change your perspective from the fans and how they see you? You go out and win games. You play good football.”

For Watson, continuing that progress could prove important as he looks to rebuild his standing in Cleveland.

The Browns Need More From Watson After His Week 2 Showing

Watson’s Week 2 display offered a marked improvement, but Cleveland needs that level of production to become a regular occurrence. His two touchdown passes and 80% completion rate helped the Browns overcome their second-half deficit against Tampa Bay.

The performance also gave Watson a chance to put his uneven Week 1 showing behind him. He now needs to string together stronger outings and help Cleveland remain competitive as the season progresses.

If Watson can maintain that standard, the conversation around him could begin to change. For now, Week 2 represents a promising step, rather than a definitive turning point.

Written by

Sayantan