(AP) CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson removed his orange helmet by unfastening the chin strap. He went to the Cleveland sideline to watch the last few minutes of the game on Sunday.

This was a good thing for the first time in weeks.

 

The Browns (5-3) were relieved to see Watson back on the field after over a month of rumors, uncertainty, and worry about their quarterback’s right shoulder injury, which threatened to end their season.

They seem to have weathered a rough patch, but there are still rougher games to come.

And, considering the Browns’ chequered past, perhaps a little drama as well.

Now that Watson was back, though, they did what winning teams do best—they crushed a one-win Arizona team that was starting a rookie quarterback for the first time. The Cleveland defense shut out the Cardinals (1-8) with seven sacks, limiting them to only 58 yards, and preventing them from ever getting inside the Browns’ 44-yard line.

Myles Garrett, the defensive end, said, “It all came together.” “There is no better result I could have hoped for.”
The way the defense played relieved some of the pressure on Watson, who was making just his second start following a rotator cuff injury on September 24. In the first half, he appeared rusty and had trouble locating his touch on a few short throws.

And when he was booed inside Cleveland Browns Stadium during an autumnal fourth-down pass completion, he grounded the pass incomplete.

But Watson warmed up and found Amari Cooper on two deep passes; the second, when the Browns were already up 20-0, was a 49-yarder that appeared to indicate that Watson’s shoulder was stronger and wouldn’t be an issue.

That’s the hope, anyway.

The Browns have been waiting for this Watson.

They secured their future with a $230 million fully guaranteed contract on this one. This person still hasn’t been able to put together even two complete games, let alone two halves.

It was a start, then. or maybe a restart in this instance.

“You don’t expect the guy to look like Superman, especially coming off an injury like he did,” Garrett said, enhancing his case for Defensive Player of the Year with a sack and a recovered fumble. “His regaining his rhythm, adjusting to the game, making those deep passes, scoring some points, pulling out the pocket, and generally feeling like himself.”

“He will only get better, and that is what we want to see.”

That’s the hope once more.

The Browns have persevered in spite of all the Watson-inspired drama and the season-ending knee injuries suffered by starting right tackle Jack Conklin and star running back Nick Chubb. November will see them participate in important games, which is never guaranteed in Cleveland.

 

What Is Effective

Cleveland’s defense was hoping for a comeback, and they got it. Embarrassed by his team’s failure to thwart Seattle’s game-winning drive in Seattle the week before, coordinator Jim Schwartz put the Browns to the test, and they responded with one of the best defensive performances in team history.

The Arizona offense scored the third-fewest yards against a Cleveland defense, and the Browns recorded their first shutout since 2007.

WHY HELP IS NEEDED

Be constant. One week the Browns appear to be serious contenders for the championship, the next like frauds. For the most part over the first eight games, the defense has been solid, but the offense is still developing due in part to the quarterback’s uncertainty.

If the Browns are to make the playoffs or win their first division title since 1989, that needs to change.

ACCESS UP

Kevin Stefanski, coach. The Browns have benefited greatly from his steadying presence as they have gone more than a month without Watson. Stefanski’s cool-headedness has been a crucial factor in the team’s success, even though he might not be as fiery as some Cleveland supporters would like.

CASE DOWN

Elijah Moore, a wide receiver. Although Watson’s injury may have played a part, he hasn’t had nearly the impact on Cleveland’s offense as many had anticipated (29 catches, no touchdowns). Perhaps now that Watson is back, Moore’s output will increase.

SUCCESSES

With a strained medial collateral ligament, starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. will miss at least four games; however, the Browns anticipate having him return this season. James Hudson III looks to be Wills’s temporary replacement after he was placed on injured reserve. .. Following a blow to the back of his head and a hard fall on an incompletion on Sunday, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is in the concussion protocol. .. CB Greg Newsome II (groin) missed practice on Sunday but may return this week.

 

PRIZE NUMBER

 

0 — After starting the season with an NFL-high 17 turnovers through eight games, the Browns managed to hold onto the ball at last.

PRIZE NUMBER

0 — After starting the season with an NFL-high 17 turnovers through eight games, the Browns managed to hold onto the ball at last.

In store next

an Oct. 1 rematch against the Baltimore Ravens, who decimated the Browns 28-3. Watson was supposed to play but was ruled out several hours before kickoff, so that was the first game he missed.