CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS INSTANT REACTION: Deshaun Watson is BACK; defense DOMINATES
Deshaun Watson took the field with the rest of the Cleveland Browns starters as the team hosted the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 9 matchup.
Watson hadn't played a full game since Week 3, when he suffered a right shoulder injury.
Watson struggled early on, missing a few easy throws, but connected with Amari Cooper on a deep ball for 59 yards than led to the first points of the game. Watson then connected with Cooper again for a touchdown on a deflected pass that bounced off a defensive tackle's helmet & into Cooper's arms for the score.
Dustin Hopkins added 2 field goals in the first half, as the Browns took a 13-0 lead into the locker room.
For Arizona, rookie Clayton Tune had absolutely nothing going for them as the Browns defense dominated early.
Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Dalvin Tomlinson & Jordan Elliott all made significant contributions and held the Cardinals to less than 50 total yards.
The Browns offense doesn't have to be great to win with this caliber of defensive play against a pedestrian offense like Arizona's.
Kevin Stefanski has also leaned on the running game heavily in the first half as he works with Watson and his receivers to find their groove.
In the second half, the defensive dominance continued. Arizona could not do anything -- literally anything -- against the group.
Watson had some highs and lows, but his deep ball connection with Cooper continued to dazzle. The two connected on 3 perfectly placed deep passes to carve up the Cardinals defense.
Kareem Hunt also rushed for another TD - the 4th straight game with a rushing TD for him - the longest streak in the league.
The Browns led 27-0 with 8 minutes to play.
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