Deshaun Watson's late touchdown pass lifts Browns past Buccaneers 23-19

Cleveland needed one late answer, and Deshaun Watson supplied it. The Browns rallied from a 16-6 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19 on Sunday when Watson found Blake Whiteheart for a 17-yard touchdown with two minutes left. The final score was verified from the completed ESPN game summary and box score.

Tampa Bay controlled the first half with Chase McLaughlin field goals of 59, 45 and 31 yards. Cleveland answered with Andre Szmyt's 50-yard kick, but the Buccaneers carried a 9-6 lead into halftime. Tampa Bay added a 5-yard Emeka Egbuka touchdown catch from Baker Mayfield early in the third quarter, stretching the margin to 16-6.

Cleveland's response came through its passing game. Watson finished 24 of 30 for 238 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He connected with Denzel Boston for a 55-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, then moved the Browns into position for the winning drive. Boston finished with five catches for 95 yards and the touchdown, giving Cleveland a second explosive answer after Tampa Bay had seized control.

The decisive play was Whiteheart's 17-yard reception from Watson with 2:00 remaining. The NFL's official X account identified the touchdown as the moment that gave Cleveland the lead, and its native video is placed here because it shows the scoring play that changed the result.

The Buccaneers still moved the ball more consistently by yardage, finishing with 295 total yards to Cleveland's 268. Mayfield went 21 of 34 for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Bucky Irving led Tampa Bay with 89 rushing yards on 17 carries. Cleveland's defense held Tampa Bay without another touchdown after Egbuka's score and forced the visitors to rely on McLaughlin's field goals.

Cleveland's winning formula was narrow but clear: Watson protected the ball, Boston created the game's biggest early strike, and Whiteheart finished the comeback. The Browns converted a late deficit into a road win by turning their final sustained possession into the only touchdown of the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay's missed opportunity was allowing Cleveland to regain the lead after controlling the first two and a half quarters.