Browns win battle with Steelers but are losing war with Deshaun Watson | Opinion

Such was the case Thursday, Oct. 1, when the Browns opened Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season by defeating the Steelers in what belatedly developed into a 27-24 thriller at Huntington Bank Field , breaking what had been a four-way logjam of 2-1 AFC North teams. Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson had another solid performance while guiding his team to its third consecutive victory. Pittsburgh counterpart Aaron Rodgers largely had a far more frustrating evening, venting frustration with teammates and coach Mike McCarthy over the course of the evening, in what is expected to be the four-time league MVP's final Thursday night game.

Still even as the Browns continue winning their weekly battles, are they losing as it pertains to the long game? Let's examine Thursday's winners and losers:

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns meet on Thursday Night Football in an AFC North matchup with division implications. See scenes from around Huntington Bank Field and moments leading up to the Steelers-Browns showdown. Above, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) hugs Joel Bitonio before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) practices before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) signs autographs before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Taylen Green (15) practice before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns meet on Thursday Night Football in an AFC North matchup with division implications. See scenes from around Huntington Bank Field and moments leading up to the Steelers-Browns showdown. Above, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns meet on Thursday Night Football in an AFC North matchup with division implications. See scenes from around Huntington Bank Field and moments leading up to the Steelers-Browns showdown. Above, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) hugs Joel Bitonio before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) practices before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) signs autographs before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Taylen Green (15) practice before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 6 Steelers vs. Browns: Photos from Thursday Night Football matchup Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg before the game at Huntington Bank Field. (Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) WINNERS Cleveland Browns Now 3-1, they've surprisingly taken over sole possession of first place of the AFC North … for the time being anyway. But who saw this coming? Rookie head coach. Reviled starting quarterback (Watson). Beloved backup quarterback (Shedeur Sanders). The face of the franchise for nearly a decade, two-time Defensive Player of the year Myles Garrett, now a Los Angeles Ram. Sure, maybe the Browns are beating middling-at-best competition in the early stages of their schedule. But doing that consistently can carry any team a long way, maybe even into the playoffs.