The Cleveland Browns did the unthinkable in Week 2 and overcame the odds to defeat the Bucs on the road. They go into their home opener with a record of 1-1, and head coach Todd Monken has his first win as a head coach in the NFL.
To get there, though, there were a lot of twists and turns.
The biggest was a nearly two-hour weather delay as the two-minute warning was taking place with the Bucs in possession of the ball. When they came back, the Bucs nearly pulled off the comeback, but the Browns' defense held strong, and they won 23-19.
All of our updates are found within our blog from the Browns' Week 2 win over the Bucs. Be sure to look back through to read about and see the big plays that led to the win.
Browns come back from delay, stop the Bucs' offense to secure the win
06:22 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughAfter a nearly two-hour delay, the Browns'
defense came back out for the Bucs' attempt at a two-minute drive. Baker Mayfield had the Bucs deep in Browns territory, but the defense locked up and stopped them on fourth down. The Browns head back to Cleveland with a record of 1-1, and Todd Monken has his first win as an NFL coach.
The #Browns head back to Cleveland for their home opener at 1-1. A weather-delayed victory for Todd Monken, his first as head coach. pic.twitter.com/UdzEMEQP9b
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 20, 2026
Browns convert a handful of third downs, find the endzone
03:52 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Bucs' defense threw everything at the Browns throughout their latest drive, and yet Deshaun Watson and their offense overcame it all. They converted on a handful of third downs, with the final one being on a 17-yard pass from Watson to Blake Whiteheart that found the endzone.
The Browns now lead 23-19 with 3:52 left in the game.
17 yards for the lead!!#CLEvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/b2NFLdaKzO
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 20, 2026
Bucs take the lead in the fourth quarter
03:41 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Browns' defense continues to stonewall the Bucs' offense on Sunday. The Bucs were able to get nearly in the endzone but fell short. Chase McLaughlin added his fourth field goal to his total on the day, this time from 31 yards out. The Bucs now lead 19-16 partway through the fourth quarter.
Denzel Boston breaks free for a big touchdown
03:21 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe second-round pick out of Washington has his second touchdown of the season, and it comes at a pivotal time in the game. Deshaun Watson hit Boston roughly 12 yards deep, and the rookie did the rest as he turned it into a 55-yard touchdown for the Browns. Things are now all tied up at 16 apiece with 1:17 left in the third quarter.
55 yards for Denzel's second TD of the year 🙌#CLEvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/YQo9axvz0f
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 20, 2026
Browns chip away at the Bucs' lead
03:05 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughAfter the Bucs' touchdown drive, the Browns were able to get into Bucs' territory, but they couldn't find the endzone. Watson hit Denzel Boston on a fade route, but Benjamin Morrison broke up the pass. In the end, Andre Szmyt kicked a 34-yard field goal and knocked the lead down to seven. The score is now 16-9 in favor of the Bucs with 3:45 left in the third quarter.
Bucs strike coming out of halftime
02:54 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughBaker Mayfield has the Bucs starting to pull away early in the third quarter after halftime. Mayfield found his top target, Emeka Egbuka, from five yards out to give the Bucs a 16-6 lead with 9:33 left in the third quarter.
Bucs take the lead heading into halftime
02:29 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Browns' defense has been much better at creating pressure in Week 2 against the Bucs. Tampa Bay has been able to get drives going, but they fall short and have had to settle for field goals. That happened a third time just before halftime, as Chase McLaughlin connected on a 31-yard field goal just before the end of the half.
They are now up 9-6 heading into the second half.
Browns fall short on fourth down
02:16 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughTodd Monken has made two puzzling decisions in the second quarter. One was a challenge over a two-yard gain that failed; the other was going for it on fourth and one at his own 34-yard line. Quinshon Judkins was stuffed at the line, and the Bucs now take over deep in Browns territory.
Browns tie things up again on a field goal
01:49 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Browns and Bucs trade field goals on Sunday as the Browns convert a 34-yard field goal. They had a promising drive that fell flat after the turnover, but they still managed to score. The game is tied 6-6 with 13:59 left in the second quarter.
Browns intercept Baker Mayfield
01:41 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughBaker Mayfield underthrew his receiver in zone coverage, and the Browns were able to jump it and take the ball from the Bucs. Myles Harden gives Cleveland a chance to take the lead if they can find the endzone.
THAT'S OURS BABY!#CLEvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/YZ2Ep6LcmW
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 20, 2026
Bucs take the lead in the first
01:29 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Browns' defense holds firm and stops the Bucs' driving offense after a big run from Bucky Irving. However, they do take the lead with another field goal from Chase McLaughlin, this time from 45 yards out. They now lead 6-3 with 4:02 left in the first quarter.
Browns tie it up with a field goal
01:20 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Browns attempted to go for it on fourth down in Bucs territory, but a false start killed that momentum. They settled for a field goal attempt, which was good, from Andre Szmyt 50 yards out. They are now tied at three apiece with 7:12 left in the first quarter.
Bucs get an early lead on a long field goal
01:15 PM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored on their opening drive thanks to the leg of their kicker and former Brown, Chase McLaughlin. He connected from a whopping 59 yards out to give the Bucs a lead early in the first quarter, 3-0.
Browns announce inactives for Week 2
11:40 AM ET, September 20 2026, Andrew HarbaughThere were no surprise when the Browns released their inactives ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Bucs on the road.
Inactives for our Week 2 matchup pic.twitter.com/g1jQlMA9m8
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 20, 2026
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns Week 2 recap: Bucs cannot seal a comeback despite weather delay
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