After a bounceback performance in Week 2, the Cleveland Browns are letting Deshaun Watson start their home opener.
On the Cleveland Football Report YouTube channel, the CFR’s Nick Pedone and Dylan Feltovich broke down Week 3’s matchup between the Browns and Carolina Panthers while answering the very simple question:
Can Watson handle the pressure of the home opener?
Even after being named head coach Todd Monken’s offensive player of the week after last week’s win in Tampa Bay, Watson will undoubtedly hear boos from Browns fans inside Huntington Bank Field on Sunday.
The Browns are doing everything in their power to quiet them, including Nick Chubb’s return to Cleveland, the Ohio State Marching Band, a new in-house band for the Browns and an end of third quarter performance from Treach.
Monken wants to stop being asked questions about a potential quarterback change. Watson said he doesn’t want war with Browns fans. All of this could near an end with another strong performance and a Browns victory in the home opener.
If Watson can overcome that reception from Browns fans and distribute the ball to KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, the boos will quickly shift to cheers. It could also be a big day for tight end Harold Fannin Jr., as Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd is one of the most notable inactives of the entire Week 3 slate.
Both the Browns and the Panthers are looking to improve their record to 2-1.
After this game, the Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on a short week for Thursday Night Football.