If the Browns are to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, then quarterback Deshaun Watson must play a whole heckuva lot better than he did in the 24–3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

He was mediocre, at best. Granted, he got a little better as the game wore on, but even in his best moments, he was just average.

Beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh, something that the Browns have struggled to do for a long time, is one of the reasons why Watson is in Cleveland. Good quarterbacks stand up and take charge in the biggest games, and this is a big, big game.

How many times did Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers lead his team to victory over the Browns?

And before that, how many times did Bernie Kosar lead his team to victory over the Steelers?

For quite a while, the Browns have not had good quarterback play, and it shows up in games like the ones against Pittsburgh.

With a good performance from Watson, the Browns could be sitting at 2-0 by late Monday evening. The Browns need to start fast this season, and defeating the Bengals and Steelers in back-to back weeks would be a tremendous start.

It won’t be easy — it never is easy in Pittsburgh — but Watson has to find a way to get it done. For as he goes, so go the Browns. The defense, as good as it may be, can’t do it all, especially in these days of the offensive-minded NFL.

Steve King