Coming out of a dismal season opener, if someone had told you that the Cleveland Browns were going to win their next two games and enter Week 4 playing for first place with Deshaun Watson as their quarterback, it would have been impossible to believe. But that is where the Browns find themselves heading into their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A home crowd that was ready to turn on Watson at the first opportunity instead was chanting his name following a 21-18 comeback victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Now, the fans will be raring to go from the opening kickoff as the Browns try to post a prime-time win against their hated rivals.
Insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic said he sees the Browns making a major statement after back-to-back wins, with a hyped-up atmosphere on tap for the “huge, huge game.”
“The stadium was absolutely on fire on Sunday, and I think it will be even more so, at least early in the game Thursday. I think the defense was awesome. I think we way overreacted to Week 1. It was so bad that it was easy to do that, but you’ve got to credit everybody involved, starting with the coaching staff and the quarterback for bouncing back. All of a sudden this is a huge, huge game. There’s reason to think that they can win it. The defense has played well enough that there’s reason to think they can win every week they play the shaky quarterback,” Jackson said.
"You've got to credit everybody involved, starting with the coaching staff and QB. All the sudden this is a huge, huge game (on Thursday vs Steelers)."
🚨 @AkronJackson w/ @KenCarman and @SportsBoyTony on the #Browns 2-1 start pic.twitter.com/0lKRRgli2J
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 29, 2026
The reaction to the Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars was warranted, as the Browns were non-competitive during an ugly 34-10 loss. But it was Watson’s first regular-season game in almost two years, and Monken’s first game as an NFL head coach, with two new coordinators on both sides of the ball, so some growing pains were to be expected.
What was unexpected was that the Browns would be able to grow up so quickly. They have shown great character by rallying in the fourth quarter for both of their wins, including the 23-19 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
After giving up scores on the first four drives of the season, Cleveland’s defense has returned to its elite level, making sure to close out each game after the offense gave it a lead to protect. If the Browns can get off to an even slightly better start than they have been, wins might be much easier to come by.
That is where the fans will come in on Thursday, and if they can spur the Browns to another victory, who knows where this season might be headed.
NEXT: Former Player Believes Deshaun Watson Has Hit A Turning Point
