ESPN expert predicts a change Browns fans have been begging for against the Bucs, and it would be a great sign for Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay could force a change on Sunday that would be welcomed by many Cleveland fans.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into their home opener on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns looking to bounce back after a tough 33-27 loss to Cincinnati last weekend. And who better to serve as that bounce back opportunity than the reeling Browns, who look like a total mess with Deshaun Watson — and the distraction he’s served to be — under center against the Bucs.
Watson, who even the most casual fan likely knows by now, was the prize that Cleveland sought out in the 2022 offseason to replace Baker Mayfield. And the secured their prize to the tune of a five-year, $230 million deal, which sent Mayfield packing in July of that year in a trade to the Panthers.
Now, four years later, Watson has been a disaster, appearing in no more than seven games in any season and failing to reach double-digit touchdown passes or 1200 yards passing in a season. He also missed 2025 with an Achilles injury. And despite Watson being generally terrible on the field, Browns head coach Todd Monken named him the starter last week and this week.
At least one expert thinks that could end this week. ESPN’s panel of writers and insiders put out their game-by-game analysis for Week 2, and Seth Walder believes the Browns will turn to Shedeur Sanders in a Bucs blowout late — and that he’ll deliver a touchdown pass.
ESPN’s Seth Walder predicts Shedeur Sanders to take over late after Browns ‘finally come to their senses’ in a Bucs blowout
“Browns backup QB Shedeur Sanders will throw a touchdown in this game,” Walder wrote. “The Browns will finally come to their senses before the end of this game and will bench Watson. At that point it will be too late for Cleveland to win, but Sanders will at least manage a garbage-time score.”
That would portend disaster for a second straight week for Watson and the Cleveland offense, something that could be set to happen on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Despite a relative lack of pressure against Joe Burrow, the Bucs’ secondary did its job well in coverage last week. Chase Brown also managed just 56 yards on 16 carries and a score on the ground.
Moving from Watson to Sanders certainly would receive a lot of applause from Browns fans, at least if you believe the seemingly vocal majority on social media. And that would likely mean the Bucs picked up the pieces from last week and allowed Mayfield to get the last laugh — and perhaps close the book — on Watson’s time in Cleveland.
