The Cleveland Browns defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 on September 20, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Cleveland entered Week 2 looking for its first win after losing to Jacksonville in Week 1, while Tampa Bay was also searching for its first victory. The Browns eventually completed a comeback behind quarterback Deshaun Watson, who produced 238 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The victory moved Cleveland to 1-1, while Tampa Bay fell to 0-2.
The game remained close throughout, with Tampa Bay holding a 19-16 advantage early in the fourth quarter. Cleveland then produced its biggest offensive moments of the afternoon. Denzel Boston delivered a 55-yard touchdown reception to tie the game late in the third quarter, and Watson later connected with Blake Whiteheart for the go-ahead score. A lengthy weather delay with two minutes remaining added more drama before Cleveland’s defense stopped Tampa Bay’s final drive.
Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
The Browns finished with 23 points, while the Buccaneers scored 19. Tampa Bay led 9-6 at halftime and extended its advantage to 16-6 early in the third quarter. Cleveland answered with 10 points in the third quarter before both teams traded fourth-quarter field goals and touchdowns. The Browns ultimately scored the game’s final touchdown with 3:51 remaining in regulation, giving them a four-point lead that they protected.
The scoring pattern showed how tightly contested the game was. Tampa Bay relied heavily on Chase McLaughlin’s field goals during the first half, while Cleveland stayed within striking distance through Andre Szmyt’s kicking. The Browns then found the end zone twice in the second half.
Match Overview
Cleveland struggled to score touchdowns early, failing to reach the end zone on its first eight possessions. The Browns’ defense, however, kept the game within reach. Myles Harden intercepted Baker Mayfield in the first quarter, and Cleveland turned the takeaway into a field goal. Mason Graham also recorded a sack, while the Browns’ defense limited Tampa Bay to one first-half touchdown.
Tampa Bay controlled more of the overall yardage, finishing with 313 total yards compared with Cleveland’s 267. The Buccaneers also averaged five yards per play, but Cleveland avoided turnovers and converted its late opportunities. That difference became important because Tampa Bay could not turn its final possession into a winning score.
Cleveland Browns Player Stats
Deshaun Watson was the central figure in Cleveland’s comeback. He completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also added 22 rushing yards. His fourth-quarter performance was especially important because he led a 12-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that ended with Whiteheart’s 17-yard score.
Denzel Boston also produced one of the game’s biggest plays. The rookie caught five passes for 95 yards and one touchdown, including a 55-yard score that tied the game at 16-16 late in the third quarter. Harold Fannin Jr. added five catches for 54 yards, while KC Concepcion Jr. recorded six receptions for 28 yards.
Browns Passing Stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | 24/30 | 238 | 2 | 0 |
Watson’s 80 percent completion rate helped Cleveland remain efficient despite limited rushing production. He also used his legs at important moments, including a third-down scramble during the decisive fourth-quarter scoring drive. His ability to extend drives helped the Browns finish the comeback.
Browns Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Rush Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | 7 | 22 | 0 |
| Quinshon Judkins | 12 | 21 | 0 |
| Raheim Sanders | 2 | 4 | 0 |
Cleveland’s rushing attack produced only limited yardage, with Judkins leading the team’s running backs with 21 yards. Watson was actually the Browns’ leading rusher with 22 yards. The offense therefore depended heavily on Watson’s passing and Cleveland’s ability to create explosive plays through the air.
Browns Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denzel Boston | 5 | 95 | 1 |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | 5 | 54 | 0 |
| KC Concepcion Jr. | 6 | 28 | 0 |
| Blake Whiteheart | — | — | 1 |
Boston’s 55-yard touchdown was the biggest Cleveland receiving play of the game, while Whiteheart provided the decisive fourth-quarter score. Boston also led the Browns in receiving yards for the second consecutive week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Stats
Baker Mayfield completed 21 of 34 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed four times for 29 yards. Mayfield’s touchdown pass went to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka during Tampa Bay’s opening scoring drive of the second half.
Bucky Irving was Tampa Bay’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 17 times for 89 yards. Tez Johnson led the Buccaneers in receiving with 49 yards on one catch, while Chris Godwin Jr. added 46 yards on three receptions. Irving’s 38-yard run was Tampa Bay’s longest rushing play.
Buccaneers Passing Stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Mayfield | 21/34 | 182 | 1 | 1 |
Mayfield faced consistent pressure from Cleveland’s defense. The Browns recorded three sacks, including one by Mason Graham, and Harden’s interception gave Cleveland valuable field position. Tampa Bay moved the ball late but could not finish the final possession with a touchdown.
Buccaneers Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Rush Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucky Irving | 17 | 89 | 0 |
| Baker Mayfield | 4 | 29 | 0 |
| Chris Godwin Jr. | 1 | 12 | 0 |
Irving provided Tampa Bay with a reliable rushing threat and averaged more than five yards per carry. His running helped the Buccaneers maintain offensive pressure, especially after halftime. Despite that production, Tampa Bay could not turn its rushing success into a late winning touchdown.
Buccaneers Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tez Johnson | 1 | 49 | 0 |
| Chris Godwin Jr. | 3 | 46 | 0 |
| Cade Otton | 5 | 38 | 0 |
| Emeka Egbuka | — | — | 1 |
Tez Johnson produced Tampa Bay’s longest reception with a 49-yard catch. Godwin also made several important plays, including a 24-yard reception during the Buccaneers’ third-quarter touchdown drive. Egbuka finished that possession by catching Mayfield’s five-yard touchdown pass.
Team Statistics
| Statistic | Browns | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 267 | 313 |
| Passing Yards | 238 | 182 |
| Rushing Yards | 74* | 131* |
| Plays | 55 | 62 |
| Yards per Play | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Possession | 29:22 | 30:38 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
*Rushing totals shown from the game statistics package; quarterback rushing is included in team totals. Tampa Bay gained more total yards and controlled slightly more possession, but Cleveland protected the football and made the decisive scoring plays.
Key Highlights and Turning Points
The first major defensive moment came when Myles Harden intercepted Mayfield late in the opening quarter. Cleveland converted the takeaway into a field goal, helping the Browns stay close despite their offensive struggles. Mason Graham then added a sack in the second quarter as Cleveland’s defense continued to prevent Tampa Bay from creating a large lead.
The turning point came late in the third quarter. After Tampa Bay moved ahead 16-6, Watson found Boston for a 55-yard touchdown. Cleveland tied the game at 16-16, then took the lead in the fourth quarter when Watson found Whiteheart for 17 yards. That sequence changed the game’s momentum and put Cleveland in position to close out the victory.
Final Two Minutes and Weather Delay
The final moments produced an unusual interruption. Tampa Bay was driving with Cleveland leading 23-19 when lightning and severe weather caused the game to be suspended with two minutes remaining. The interruption lasted approximately two hours and 12 minutes before play resumed.
After the delay, Tampa Bay moved the ball but could not reach the end zone. Mayfield’s final pass was intended for Emeka Egbuka in the end zone on fourth down, but the throw fell incomplete. Cleveland then took possession and finished the game, securing its first victory of the 2026 season.
Final Match Summary
The Cleveland Browns completed a 23-19 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind Watson’s two touchdown passes, Boston’s explosive reception and a strong defensive finish. Cleveland trailed 16-6 in the third quarter but scored 17 of the game’s final 20 points. The Browns also finished without a turnover, while Harden’s interception gave them an important early opportunity.
Tampa Bay produced more total yards and received a strong rushing performance from Irving, but the Buccaneers struggled to finish drives consistently. The weather delay added another challenge to the final minutes, yet Cleveland’s defense held firm after play resumed. The result moved the Browns to 1-1 while Tampa Bay dropped to 0-2 after its home opener.
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