Browns rally past Panthers 21-18 on late Watson to Fannin touchdown

Browns pull off another comeback

Cleveland trailed for most of the afternoon and still walked away with a 21-18 win over Carolina at Huntington Bank Field. The Panthers led 18-13 with 4:25 left after John Metchie III caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young, but the Browns answered with a 65-yard, eight-play drive. Deshaun Watson capped it with a 14-yard touchdown throw to Harold Fannin Jr. with 1:48 remaining, then found Denzel Boston for the two-point conversion to put Cleveland up three. Watson was slow to get going, completing 10 of 21 passes for 67 yards through three quarters, then went 6 of 9 for 77 yards in the fourth quarter alone. He finished 16 of 30 for 144 yards and two touchdowns, and carried 11 times for 45 yards. Cleveland moved to 2-1 on the season.

A penalty flag turned the game

With 2:29 left, it looked like Carolina had the game sealed when Akayleb Evans intercepted a Watson pass intended for KC Concepcion in the end zone. The pick did not stand. Officials called Panthers linebacker Bobby Okereke for roughing the passer, wiping out the turnover and giving Cleveland the ball back. Three plays later, Watson found Fannin for the go-ahead score. Carolina got one more chance, but safety Ronnie Hickman intercepted Young at the Browns 46 with nine seconds left to close it out.

Fourth-down math didn't help Carolina

Cleveland also cashed in on a couple of fourth-down decisions by Carolina. Mason Graham sacked Young for a 10-yard loss on fourth-and-3 at the Browns 43, setting Cleveland up at the Carolina 47. Later, the Panthers went for it again on fourth-and-short from their own 40, and Young's throw to tight end Tommy Tremble fell incomplete. Seven plays after that turnover on downs, Watson hit Fannin on a crossing route in the back right corner of the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 2 for the Browns' first touchdown. Fannin caught seven passes for 51 yards and both of Watson's touchdown throws. Quinshon Judkins led Cleveland on the ground with 70 yards on 18 carries.

Carolina moved the ball but couldn't finish

Bryce Young threw for 291 yards on 26 of 48 passing with a touchdown and an interception, and Carolina actually out-gained Cleveland 360 yards to 259 while holding a wide edge in first downs, 24 to 17. Chuba Hubbard ran for 82 yards on 19 carries, and Brycen Tremayne caught four passes for 83 yards. Ryan Fitzgerald made four field goals, from 35, 41, 53 and 37 yards, but the Panthers needed the Metchie touchdown to finally reach the end zone. Carolina was flagged seven times for 63 yards, while Cleveland was penalized 12 times for 84. Both teams lost one turnover. Carolina fell to 1-2. Cleveland's injury report listed Tyson Campbell out with a hip issue and Taylen Green and Justin Jefferson both out by coach's decision. Carolina listed Jalen Coker (quadriceps), Damien Lewis (elbow) and Mike Jackson (groin) as questionable.

Facts per ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.