The Cleveland Browns found a way to beat the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday. Several moments during the game could have gone a half dozen different ways. But they didn't, and Cleveland escaped victorious. They now sit tied atop the AFC North with a 2-1 record.
If you are a Browns fan today, it's a real shocker that the team has started so well. The entire offseason centered on a quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Plus, the team was running with a new head coach in Todd Monken, who had never been a head coach in the NFL.
So the surprise of the fast start has Browns fans buzzing with an eagerness to see how things play out this season.
First, let's break down this week's grade report after another second-half comeback by the Browns.
Cleveland's defense delivered when it mattered while the offense showed plenty of room to grow in Week 3
Quarterback
It wasn't pretty, but quarterback Deshaun Watson did enough in this game to help the Browns to victory. He took his time in the pocket in the key moments, and that was the difference in converting a loss into a win.
In the first half, he threw a huge touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. on a fourth-and-3 with 1:37 left in the half. That gave the Browns a 10-0 cushion.
Late in the game, with Cleveland trailing 18-13, Watson saved the day again by scrambling for 21 yards on a third-and-3 with just over two minutes to play. He then fired his second touchdown pass to Fannin Jr. after buying time in the pocket to help his team grab the lead for good.
Grade: B-
Running backs
The run game was better in this game, but it is still a work in progress. The Browns' primary running back, Quinshon Judkins, had his best outing of the early season as he ran the ball 18 times for 70 yards. He had a long run of 11 yards in the first half that helped lead to Cleveland's first touchdown.
Once again, Watson had more rush attempts than expected. He had 11 rushes for 45 yards.
Grade: C
Wide receivers and tight ends
Fannin Jr. had a big day, scoring two touchdowns. He finished with seven receptions for 51 yards. Wide receiver Denzel Boston came up big in the second half, catching two receptions, one of which went for 28 yards. He also added a key two-point conversion catch.
KC Concepcion had two receptions for only 9 yards. But Fannin's two scores were enough to salvage the day overall.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
The 12 penalties the Browns had on the day included a few procedural calls by the offensive linemen. The unit did keep Watson upright for most of the game. He was only sacked twice.
But the run game continues to be brutal for the Browns, and the offensive linemen need to get better to help that part of the team.
Tytus Howard, the Browns' right tackle, had a dismal game that included three false starts. The two rookies, left tackle Spencer Fano and guard Austin Barber, had some good moments, but both got beat a time or two in their matchups. Veterans Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins both held their own in their battles.
The crew would have gotten a bump up in their grade if they'd successfully helped the run game convert the last fourth-and-1, which would have sealed the win with just over a minute to play.
Grade: C-
Defensive line and linebackers
This group's late-game heroics helped hold the lead against the Panthers. In two separate series inside the two-minute warning, they were able to shut down the Carolina offense.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham got two more sacks in this game. He now has four sacks this season. The second-year player is starting to make his mark, and that's great news for the talented Cleveland defense.
The Browns' linebackers, Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams, each played tough football on Sunday. Williams had 13 tackles, and Schwesinger had 11 tackles. They were flying around the field all game long. That energy could be felt by the other defensive players, which led to a very hungry unit.
Grade: B+
Defensive backs
The unit held its own. Carolina was coming into this game with a potent passing game, but corners Denzel Ward, Myles Harden, and Mekhi Blackmon held the Panthers' wide receivers in check for most of the afternoon.
Carolina's wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was shut down by Ward in this game. McMillan caught one pass for 12 yards in his 25 matchups against Ward.
The safety play of Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman Jr. was also solid, and Hickman helped end the last Carolina drive with his first interception of the season.
Grade: B
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