Aug 5, 2024; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys bulldozed the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 NFL action on Sunday, 30-17, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.

The news didn’t get much better for Browns franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, making his first start since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on his throwing arm last year.

Watson completed 24 of his 25 pass attempts, with a long of 29 yards. He finished the game with 169 yards passing. He threw one six-yard touchdown in garbage time along with two interceptions.

He also surrendered six sacks, some of which, it must be noted, weren’t entirely his fault.

But we’re now entering Year 3 of the Watson Era in Cleveland, and the returns aren’t looking good on the team’s historic trade for what they saw as the future of their franchise.

“Since 2006, there have been 1,752 times a quarterback threw at least 10 passes 15+ yards downfield,” wrote CBS senior writer Zach Perels. “Deshaun Watson (today) is THE ONLY ONE to not complete a single one.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
68min
The Play-By-Play
A mega Tom Brady NFL announcing check in with Awful Announcing's Sean Keeley
Tom Brady is 13 weeks in his NFL broadcasting career, and did his first Thanksgiving game. How is Brady doing? Has he improved? How long will he continue broadcasting? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod, Brendon Kleen, and Sean Keeley discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:18: Tom Brady on Thanksgiving Fox broadcast-30:28: Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit on Trevor Lawrence-40:03: Ryan Day and Ohio State-50:44: Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears-57:23: Stugotz’s new book-59:32: Kai Cenat’s Twitch subathon-1:03:58: Fran BrownYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN cancels 'Around the Horn,' Jake Fischer joins us
ESPN is pulling the plug on "Around the Horn" after nearly a quarter century on the air. Tom Brady continues his first year as a broadcaster. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, with guest Jake Fischer from The Stein Line, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:25: ESPN canceling “Around the Horn” in 2025-15:26: Jake Fischer comes on The Play-By-Play-48:38: Views From the Subreddit-59:28: Tom Brady on Fox-1:03:24: John Fanta on X SpacesYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Tom Brady's best broadcast, Bill Simmons and Spotify, Barstool departures
Tom Brady rose to the occasion during the Commanders-Lions game. Bill Simmons is reportedly likely sticking with Spotify. Amazon hires Kevin Harlan for their NBA coverage. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including "Bussin' With The Boys" leaving Barstool Sports on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:36: Ohio State winning national championship-1:51: Commanders-Lions review, Tom Brady’s best(?) game so far-15:51: NFL broadcaster #1 booth power rankings-23:47: Bill Simmons likely renewing with Spotify-40:19: Bill Simmons subreddit-42:14: Amazon hiring Kevin Harlan as #2 NBA play-by-play-51:24: Hot Mics-51:41: “Bussin’ With The Boys” and Grace O’Malley leaving Barstool-58:16: Ohio State guiltYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Loving Dan Hurley, Shohei Ohtani 'Face of MLB,' Gen Z and sports
Dan Hurley rubs many the wrong way, so is that why he's great for college basketball? Is Shohei Ohtani the face of Major League Baseball. Are the lack of Cinderellas really what's destroying college basketball. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including an in-depth discussion with Morning Consult's Ellyn Briggs on how Gen Z consumes sports, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:04: No Cinderellas in March Madness-21:11: Ellyn Briggs joins the show-21:39: Best way to summarize how Gen Z consumes sports-24:57: Gen Z having a strong connection to athletes, going to games-29:49: NIL and Gen Z-31:22: Sports going away from a made-for-TV product?-34:17: Gen Z and Gen-Alpha sports participation-37:13: Public reaction to Jackie Robinson article temporarily taken down-42:30: Women’s sports fans supporting activism among players-46:33: LIV Golf/Saudi Arabia and sportswashing-50:20: What has to happen for a new league to work in 2025?-54:48: Dan Hurley-57:48: Shohei Ohtani as the “Face of MLB”You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Browns’ decision to give Watson $230 million fully guaranteed could loom large in future decisions, too.

“The Cleveland Browns’ trade for and re-signing of quarterback Deshaun Watson is the single worst transaction in NFL history,” wrote CBS NFL reporter Garrett Podell.

“The only trade that comes close is the Minnesota Vikings’ acquisition of running back Herschel Walker from the Dallas Cowboys.”

The NFL world was quick to react to the news:

[CBS]