The Cleveland Browns’ quest to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 1993 took a hit on the very first play of Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson dropped back to pass on the game’s very first play, and his pass hit off the hands of wide receiver Harrison Bryant and deflected right into the hands of linebacker Alex Highsmith, who took it 30 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring with a pick-six.
The first play in the Browns-Steelers game is a pick-six on a Deshaun Watson pass (that was dropped by Harrison Bryant). 🏈 #MNF pic.twitter.com/wn8732N8At
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 19, 2023
Watson, who also had an interception in Cleveland’s Week 1 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, now has seven interceptions in eight career games for the Browns.
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has struggled to put together consistent play so far in his time in Cleveland.
Cleveland acquired Watson from the Houston Texans prior to the 2022 season and signed the quarterback to a then-record-setting extension. Watson was then suspended for the first 11 games of the season and fined $5 million for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Divisional games always seem to have a bit more punch and emotion to them, and considering the fact that the Browns have beat Pittsburgh just five times in their past 40 regular season meetings, this was probably the worst possible way for the game to start for Cleveland.
Social media had plenty to say about the pick-six
no way watson threw a pick six first play 😂
— 🌴𝙏𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙨𝙤𝙣 🌴 SB LIX Champs (@TSmith_XLV) September 19, 2023
9 seconds into the game Watson throws pick six, goes to the steelers kickoff team, announcer "we just did this" 😭😭😭
— anna (@imjustannaok) September 19, 2023
Deshaun Watson pick six is what the world needed to see
— lynz (@lynziekate) September 19, 2023
If Watson threw a pick six every time he threw the football I really wouldn't have an issue with it.
— Anonymous Cowardly Troll-Demon (@ThreeEyedRat) September 19, 2023
