Deshaun Watson engineered a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive to lift the Cleveland Browns to a 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers on September 27, 2026, at Huntington Bank Field. Playing in their home opener before an announced attendance of 65,023, the Browns overcame a late deficit as Watson connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for the decisive score with 1:48 remaining in regulation.
Fourth-Quarter Momentum Shift
The game featured a heavy dose of field goals before the offense sparked in the final frame. Trailing 18-13 after a Carolina touchdown and a failed two-point conversion with 4:25 left on the clock, Cleveland responded quickly. Watson orchestrated an eight-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Fannin Jr. The Browns then successfully converted a two-point pass from Watson to Denzel Boston, pushing the lead to 21-18 and silencing a crowd that had initially booed the quarterback.
Scoring Breakdown and Key Drives
The visiting Panthers opened the second half trailing 10-3 after a scoreless first quarter that saw both defenses hold firm. Cleveland struck first in the second quarter when kicker Andre Szmyt converted a 48-yard field goal with 5:43 remaining. Watson then found Fannin Jr. for a 2-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 40-yard sequence, putting the Browns up 10-0.
Carolina responded before halftime when kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 35-yard field goal with 27 seconds left on the clock. Fitzgerald remained busy throughout the second half, adding field goals from 41 yards, 53 yards, and 37 yards across the third and fourth quarters to keep the Panthers within striking distance.
Szmyt added a 45-yard field goal for Cleveland early in the fourth quarter to make it a 13-12 game. Carolina briefly took an 18-13 lead when quarterback Bryce Young connected with John Metchie III on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 4:25 left, completing a 72-yard drive before Watson’s game-winning answer.
Offensive Statistics and Game Leaders
Bryce Young finished the afternoon completing 26 of 48 pass attempts for 291 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Chuba Hubbard paced the Carolina ground game with 82 rushing yards on 19 carries, while wide receiver Brycen Tremayne led the receiving corps with 83 yards on four receptions.
For Cleveland, Deshaun Watson completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, both directed to Fannin Jr., who finished with seven catches for 51 yards. On the ground, running back Quinshon Judkins contributed 70 yards on 18 carries to support the Browns’ offense.
Defensive Standouts and Penalties
Defensively, the Browns leaned on linebacker Quinshon Williams, who recorded nine total tackles, including five solo stops. Defensive tackle Michael Graham applied heavy pressure in the trenches, registering two sacks. The Panthers saw strong defensive efforts from safety Lathan Ransom, who totaled eight tackles, and linebacker Trevis Gipson, who notched one sack.
Both teams struggled with discipline. Carolina committed seven penalties resulting in 63 yards, while Cleveland was flagged 12 times for 84 yards. Each team turned the ball over once, and both converted five of 15 attempts on third down.
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