Deshaun Watson is the Cleveland Browns X-Factor to Close the Season, Despite Rusty Reclamation
Deshaun Watson is off to a shaky start after resuming live NFL action for the first time in 700 days. He's now made three starts for the Cleveland Browns, his third is on Christmas Eve against the New Orleans Saints, a team that was in the mix to acquire him. Despite the shaky start, Watson is an X-Factor in who the Browns can be the rest of the season.
There is no hiding the fact that Watson is the future of the team, or they hope for him to be at least. You don't make the biggest trade in franchise history, or give out the richest NFL contract to be anything short of the face of the franchise. It was expected that there would be an acclimation period for Watson to return to the Pro Bowl caliber of play he was once at, as recent as the 2020 campaign.
From his first start against the Houston Texans to the most recent one against Baltimore, Watson has shown improvement. The Ravens made Cleveland beat them through the air at times, and they did just that. Nick Chubb did not get going until late, which is a testament to how much he can wear down a defense.
When Watson needed to step up and make a throw, he did just that.
Hitting Amari Cooper on the sideline with a small window between the out-of-bounds and defender is what you want to see out of Watson. Those are big-time throws that franchise quarterbacks make time and time again.
It will be the Saints, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers in these last three games for Watson. All three teams will have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, so it'll be a good gauge of this offense.
Despite the offense being shaky since Watson took over, including just one touchdown in 28 drives at one time, things look to be on the brink of breaking. The quarterback running lanes are there and Watson is hitting them. He's beginning to look more comfortable, he's on target a ton more.
Cleveland still has playoff aspirations, even if they're very small at this point. Whether those are in the picture or not shouldn't change the fact that Watson should have a chance to play freely and show who he can be down the last three games of the season.
Building a connection with players like Cooper and David Njoku would be big going into the future. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Watson have already shown to have a connection on the gridiron. These are the kind of things that will make excitement pour out heading into the 2023 season when the Browns have realistic expectations.
There is nothing wrong with expecting Watson to play well in the last couple of games of the season, it could mean a lot for this team whether they are playing in mid-January or not.
Subscribe to Browns Digest on YouTube here.
Like Browns Digest on Facebook.
Brandon Little is a writer for Sports Illustrated’s Browns Digest website and you can follow him on Twitter @BrandonLittleFB here. You can follow Browns Digest on Twitter here.
Kevin Stefanski Either Believes in Joe Woods or He Doesn't
Garrett, Chubb, Bitonio Lead Browns Pro-Bowl Players, Several Alternates Make it
Deshaun Watson's Impact on Browns Running Backs
Finding Browns Fits in the 2023 NFL Draft: Derick Hall, EDGE Auburn
WATCH: Browns Myles Garrett and Perrion Winfrey Imitate LeBron James and... J.R. Smith After Sack
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Talks About Deshaun Watson's Home Debut,... Win Against Ravens
Former Cleveland Browns LT Joe Thomas Talks About Losing in his Career, Opens... up on Mental Health
Browns Could Sweep Remaining Four Games
Browns Place LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on Injured Reserve
Browns DE Myles Garrett Shuts Down Idea of Him Resting Shoulder With... Playoffs out of Reach
Finding Browns Fits in the 2023 NFL Draft: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT Florida
Player Spotlight: Cleveland Browns Newly Added WR Jaelon Darden
Myles Garrett Leading Defensive End Pro Bowl Votes
Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio Among Browns Players on This Early All-Pro Team
Browns RB Nick Chubb a Finalist for an NFL Award
Must Watch: Tony Fields II Father Makes Diving Catch to Keep Touchdown Ball in... Houston
Browns Defense Under Joe Woods Becoming More Adaptable, Three Standout Performances Against Texans
Browns Joel Bitonio Among Nominees for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
Bengals Playmaking TE Hayden Hurst Doubtful to Play Against Browns
Browns LB Sione Takitaki Suffered Season Ending Injury Against Texans
