Jameis Winston’s first ever start for the Cleveland Browns was an instant classic.
Winston, starting because of Deshaun Watson‘s Achilles tear, orchestrated an incredible second-half comeback against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, throwing for 334 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 29-24 win — one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season so far.
Winston had himself a game against the RavensAP
The Browns trailed Baltimore 23-24 with just over a minute to go in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens held a one-point lead after running back Derrick Henry’s 2-yard run and Justin Tucker’s point-after kick.
The Browns then started on their own 31, and on a 2nd and 15 Winston connected with wide receiver Cedric Tillman on a 38-yard score, Tillman’s second of the day.
“He should have been starter all year,” one fan said of Winston.
Cleveland was ultimately able to close out the game and pull off the improbable victory — just their second of the season as they improved to 2-6.
The Browns entered the game averaging an NFL-worst 253.9 yards per game and posted 401 yards of total offense against Baltimore.
For the first time this season, the Browns reached 20+ points, with the offense accounting for every score.
In his first ever game for the Browns, Winston finished with 300+ passing-yards, something Watson, who is owed $230 million by the organization, has never managed to do.
Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Bengals last week, paving the way for Winston to make his first start.
Winston’s performance against the Ravens showed he should have been starting much sooner, and is a more than an adequate solution to the Browns’ $230 million quarterback problem.
Watson’s $240 million contract is considered one of the worst in NFL historyGetty
It may be the final nail in the coffin for Watson’s career.
The Browns handed out a fully guaranteed, five-year contract to Watson, who accounts for a massive $145 million salary cap hit in 2025-26 and is continually plagued by on and off-field issues.
The three-time Pro Bowler was accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by more than 20 women before even being traded to Cleveland. He has always denied any wrongdoing, and 20 claims of sexual misconduct have been settled out of court.
He was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million by the NFL.
Earlier this month, a civil lawsuit was filed, accusing Watson of sexual assault and battery in October 2020, while playing for the Houston Texans — allegations which he strongly denies.
Watson missed half of last season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery, and has barely played the last three-plus seasons for the Browns, a situation further compounded by his later injury setback.
Jackson’s record-breaking day was not enough to secure the win
Winston’s heroics came on a day when MVP front-runner Jackson created yet more NFL history.
The Baltimore quarterback went 23 for 35 on his pass attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat to the Browns, which snapped their five-game winning streak.
Action Jackson also added 46 yards on the ground on eight carries, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 500 rushing yards in seven consecutive seasons.
He also became the second quarterback ever with at least 500 rushing yards in seven career seasons, joining Cam Newton (seven).
Jackson also become the second quarterback ever to record at least 40 rushing yards in each of his team’s first eight games of a season, joining Michael Vick in 2006.
However, he cut a frustrated figure at the end of the game as he slammed his helmet to the turf following the Browns’ unlikely victory.
