Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson got a nice tuneup against the now 1-8 Cardinals in his second attempt at a comeback from his strained rotator cuff before he has to face the AFC North rival Ravens and Steelers over the next two weeks.
After missing three of the previous four games and most of the fourth, Watson came back strong and came out firing against the Cardinals’ inferior roster and overmatched team for a 27-0 Browns victory at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Browns’ top-ranked defense also dominated Cardinals rookie quarterback Clayton Tune — making his first NFL start — and their backup running backs in pitching Cleveland’s first shutout since Dec. 16, 2007, an 8-0 victory over the Bills.
The Cardinals mustered just 58 yards and Tune (11/20, 58 yards, 20.8 rating, 7 sacks, 2 INTs) was completely beat down.
The blowout improved the Browns to 5-3, and kept them in the thick of the heated AFC North race heading into the back-to-back enormous games.
The Ravens, who host the Browns next week, improved to 7-2 Sunday with a victory over the Seahawks.
The Steelers improved to 5-3 Thursday night with a win over the Titans.
The 4-3 Bengals host the Bills on Sunday night.
The only downside to the win was the Browns lost left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. to what looked like a possible season-ending right knee injury. Wills was carted off the field with 11:08 left in the third quarter after Kareem Hunt rolled up on him on a run. He writhed in pain on the field while grabbing his right knee and was then placed in an air cast and carted off the field, still grimacing and with his teammates sending him their well-wishes and prayers.
Wills was replaced by 2021 fourth-round pick James Hudson III, who might have to protect Watson’s blind side for the rest of the season.
Watson also lost receiver Marquise Goodwin after a concussion check, but the Wills injury could have a profound impact on the season.
It wasn’t always pretty for Watson, but it went better than anyone could’ve expected in his second try at putting the shoulder injury behind him — including three deep balls that reassured the Browns that he’s back.
He went 19 of 30 for 219 yards with two touchdown passes — one to Amari Cooper and one to David Njoku — en route to a 107.5 rating. He was sacked once, and gained 22 yards on his three carries.
The signature first-half play for Watson was a 59-yard strike to Cooper (5 for 139 yards, 1 TD) down the left sideline to the Cardinals’ 13. The pass had plenty of velocity and was placed where only Cooper, who got behind the defense, could grab it.
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