Deshaun Watson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. with 1:48 remaining, lifting the Cleveland Browns to a 21-18 comeback win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Huntington Bank Field.
Watson then found Denzel Boston for a two-point conversion, putting Cleveland ahead after the Browns had trailed 18-13 in the fourth quarter.
The victory improved Cleveland's season record to 2-1 ahead of its next home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Watson finished 16 of 30 for 144 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions for an 88.8 passer rating.
He also rushed seven times for 24 yards, converting three first downs on scrambles to rally the home crowd.
Panthers' Lead Slips Away
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young had given the Panthers an 18-13 lead in the fourth quarter by engineering a 72-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie.
The subsequent two-point attempt failed.
After Cleveland's go-ahead score, the Browns' defense secured the win.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham recorded his second sack of the day to force a late fourth-down attempt, and safety Ronnie Hickman sealed the game with an interception of Young with 17 seconds left.
Cleveland had opened a 10-0 lead in the second quarter when Watson connected with Fannin on a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down.
Carolina narrowed the gap before halftime with a 35-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald with 27 seconds remaining.
Carolina shifted momentum early in the third quarter after Malachi Corley fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a Fitzgerald field goal that pulled the Panthers within 10-6.
Fitzgerald later added field goals from 53 and 37 yards to give Carolina a 12-10 lead in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland briefly reclaimed the lead at 13-12 on a field goal with 7:30 left, set up by a 28-yard reception by Boston, before Young's touchdown pass temporarily put Carolina back on top.
