Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who famously faced boos in the offseason, finally heard a different sound from his home crowd in Week 3. After a rocky start that saw the Browns drop their first game to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a Week 2 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where Watson was a huge factor, all eyes were on Cleveland’s first home game of the season to see how the fans would react to their QB.
The Cleveland Crowd’s Shifting Vibe
It wasn’t a party when Watson first took the field with the offense on Sunday. The preseason boos were still fresh in everyone’s minds, and after that Week 1 loss, you just knew the tension was there. But credit where it’s due: the Browns pulled off a “riveting win” against the Bucs in Week 2, and Watson was right in the thick of it. That win clearly took some of the edge off because when Watson ran onto his home turf for the first time this season, there was no “big reaction” from the crowd, according to Myles Simmons of NBC Sports. No roaring applause, but crucially, no boos either. It was a moment of collective holding your breath, waiting to see what would happen.
From Silence to Celebration on a Scramble
Then, Watson did what he needed to do to earn some love. The crowd’s quiet reception didn’t last long, because as Simmons noted, “the crowd’s voice changed to cheers as Watson made something happen and scrambled for a first down on second-and-7 from the Cleveland 11.” That’s the stuff fans live for: a quarterback extending a play, turning a potential disaster into a first down. But he wasn’t done! He followed that up by avoiding a sack and scrambling again, this time for a 12-yard gain on third-and-6. Two huge plays, two crucial scrambles, and the sound of cheers finally filled the stadium for Watson.
That’s the kind of early season momentum that can build a connection, and it shows the power of making plays on the field. After the offseason drama and a tough Week 1, getting your home crowd to cheer your name is a massive step. You gotta wonder if this is the start of Watson truly winning over the Cleveland faithful.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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