newsweek
Most fans had written off the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson before the 2026 NFL season began. But on Sunday, Watson once again delivered in the clutch, guiding the Browns to a victory and earning a place among an elite group of quarterbacks in the process.
With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, Watson orchestrated a final possession that moved the Browns down the field and set up kicker Andre Szymt for a 32-yard field goal that proved to be the game-winner.
The victory lifts Cleveland to a 5-2 record and keeps the team firmly in the AFC's upper tier. More importantly, it extends Watson's remarkable pattern of late-game excellence this season.
According to Dan Murphy, the Browns' Director of Communications, Watson's latest game-winning drive is his fifth of the year. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only two other quarterbacks have led game-winning drives in each of their team's first five wins of a season: Troy Aikman and Matthew Stafford.
Being mentioned alongside Aikman, a Hall of Famer, and Stafford, who could join him in Canton when his career ends, highlights the level of play Watson has displayed this season.
Watson will aim to keep his impressive form going when the Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. Pittsburgh will be seeking revenge, as its most recent loss came against Cleveland in Week 4.
Key Analysis
Watson's ability to perform under pressure has been a defining trait for the Browns this season. His five game-winning drives not only underscore his clutch gene but also place him in rare company historically. The comparison to Aikman and Stafford is significant, as both are or will be Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks. If Watson continues this trend, the Browns could be a serious contender in the AFC. The upcoming matchup against the Steelers will be another test of his late-game mettle.
Originally reported by newsweek.