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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Cleveland Browns' Week 1 result wasn't what fans wanted for Todd Monken's debut game as the new head coach, and that may have added to fans' already sour opinion of Deshaun Watson as starting quarterback.
Much had been made of Watson winning the starting job this preseason, as he competed with sophomore QB Shedeur Sanders, who started for the team for much of the second half of the season. With that, the criticism will continue to come for Watson if he struggles.
Watson, who previously achieved three Pro Bowl selections with the Houston Texans, responded to a reporter's question on whether he needed a big game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend to win over fans before they have their home opener in Cleveland.
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"I think personally, all that is for the media," Watson said. "I think the media has this expectation that I'm supposed to throw 400 yards and five touchdowns every week. Until that happens I guess it's gonna be the same situation."
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"Again, my job is to make sure I'm operating well so we can try to get a win and keep moving forward from there," he also said, per Plains Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot.
In the Browns' 34-10 loss, they were on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown, and also threw one interception. Watson had a near-fumble but managed to recover the ball on that play.
Ahead of the season, head coach Todd Monken made it clear that Watson was the starter, and he wasn't going to change that decision week-to-week. If losses pile up with Watson as the starter, fans may start demanding that Monken opt to start Sanders over Watson.
Watson having a stellar road performance against the Buccaneers could smooth over Browns fans' opinions on their QB1 for at least a week. That might be surprising, though, as the Bucs are looking to bounce back after also losing in Week 1.
As of this writing, Tampa Bay is favored to win by 8.5 points in their home opener, after falling in Week 1 to Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Most likely, harsh criticism and potential booing could be coming Watson's way with another disappointing performance by him and the Browns.
The Browns visit the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. ET. Cleveland hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 27.
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