On Sunday September 8th ,2024, the Cleveland Browns will open their 2024 season hosting the Dallas Cowboys. It will be quarterback Deshaun Watson’s first start since November of 2023 in Baltimore. That Baltimore game was considered a light bulb moment for Watson especially in the second half.

The last start for Watson was in Baltimore Maryland in November of 2023. The game did not start well for the Cleveland quarterback. He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the second play of the game. Watson eventually settled down and had a spectacular second half of the game. Watson threw 14 passes for 14 completions and a touchdown. What was most impressive was that he accomplished this with a high ankle sprain and a fractured throwing shoulder.

After the game Watson was out for the rest of the 2023 season. His fractured shoulder needed season ending surgery, without the surgery his career would have ended in the NFL. The disappointment from Browns fans was felt across northeast Ohio. And the Browns went on to an 11-6 record and an AFC Wildcard Playoff berth regardless of Watson’s injury. It showed the strength of the Cleveland Browns roster. And because of this roster being so strong, Deshaun Watson can play to the strength of the Cleveland Browns.

When Watson was playing in Houston early in his professional career, he was asked and expected to make most of the offensive plays for the team. That was because the Texans roster was not as good as Cleveland Browns is at that time. He was compelled to force throws and hold onto the ball hoping for a big play to develop. He doesn’t have to do that in 2024 with the Browns. When he started to settle in and take what defenses gave him. He was successful. Just like in the second half of last years Baltimore game. And that is what Watson needs to do in Cleveland.

Many experts and pundits will throw out stats for an argument. Quarterback rating, yards per game, PFF scores, and passer rating can be used in an argument for or against any quarterback. But the true telling stat on Sundays in the NFL are wins and losses. And that is what is most important for the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson in 2024.