Browns Coach Monken Confirms Watson Will Start Week 2

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson will start the team's Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, standing by his decision despite a lopsided season-opening loss that sparked widespread fan criticism. Monken told reporters he "anticipates" Watson will remain the starter after reviewing film of the Browns' 34-10 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Watson, who was making his first start in nearly two years following Achilles injuries, completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was also sacked five times. "It's only been two weeks he's gotten all the reps, and there were some really good things on film, some things that you can build on," Monken said during his Monday press conference. "And there were some others that, operationally, we've got to get better at." The coach defended Watson against suggestions that the quarterback played tentatively, particularly on downfield throws. Monken noted that some deep routes were not called or executed, rather than Watson being unwilling to push the ball downfield.