The Cleveland Browns are 2-1 after a 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, even when they didn’t really play that well in multiple facets of the game.

Cleveland finished with 12 penalties for 84 yards, managed just 259 total yards and 127 passing yards, and looked nothing like a team capable of winning consistently on offense. Outside of defense and special teams, the Browns hurt themselves repeatedly and failed to take control of a game they should have.

Now, this isn’t bad news for a very young team that is early in the year. The Browns are winning despite how bad they are on offense, and if it changes, it could be huge for Cleveland.

Todd Monken didn’t sugarcoat it after the win 

Browns head coach Todd Monken agreed the performance wasn’t close to good enough. After the game, he sent a strong message about what this team needs to become.

“We’re going to be a damn good football team once Browns stop hurting Browns, and we’re gonna fight like hell to fix it,” Monken said. “I’m gonna enjoy the win because we are 2-1 with the division rival coming to town, and we know we can certainly play a heck of a lot better on offense. The pieces are there; we’re just not coaching or playing. And what are we gonna do? Fight like hell to fix it. That’s all you can do.”

Monken’s candid assessment tells you where this team stands. The talent is there, the results are coming, but the execution and discipline are nowhere near where they need to be for the Browns to compete at a higher level.

One area Cleveland can feel better about is the ground game. The Browns rushed for 132 yards, with running back Quenchon Judkins breaking 70 yards on the day. That kind of production on the ground can help an offense through rough stretches, and the Browns needed every bit of it against Carolina.

Deshaun Watson came alive when it mattered

Quarterback Deshaun Watson finished 16-of-30 for 144 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He was sacked twice and faced pressure throughout the game. The pass protection held up at times, but the offensive line was hurt badly by penalties. Right tackle Tytus Howard in particular had a rough afternoon for Cleveland.

Watson did come alive late in the fourth quarter when the Browns needed a game-winning drive. He connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for his second touchdown reception of the game, giving the Browns a 21-18 lead. Watson then hit rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston on a two-point conversion in the end zone.

The Browns overcame all of the self-inflicted damage and still walked away with a victory in their home opener. It’s always better to learn from a win than a loss. There’s a ton of untapped potential with this Cleveland team, and the roster has the pieces to be much better on offense, even if they’re young.

Now, the Browns turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. It should be a wild environment for a division rivalry matchup, and the Browns will need to clean up the penalties and find more consistency on offense if they want to leave that game 3-1.