Monday leftovers

Kind of lost in the rush to suggest Deshaun Watson is slowly becoming the Deshaun Watson the Browns believed they landed with that fat contract is one pass he threw with absolute precision that triggered that thought.

It occurred on the Browns' initial possession of the second half of the 27-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans Sunday. Second play of what concluded as an 11-play, 85-yard scoring drive that ate up five minutes and 34 seconds. 

Second and one at the Cleveland 24. Donovan Peoples-Jones runs a route that takes him down the right sideline with Tennessee cornerback Roger McCreary in tight coverage. Watson sees the one-on-one and lofts an arching tight spiral that drops absolutely perfectly into the waiting arms of the wide receiver.

There was nothing McCreary could do. DPJ sealed off the sideline, stretched out his arms and in came the ball. Didn't need to break stride. It was as though Watson had walked up to the big wideout and dropped the ball in a bucket. The catch and run covered 29 yards.

That's the kind of pass that is most difficult to throw, but he threaded it in perfectly despite blanket coverage. It was easily Watson's best throw of the day, a day that saw him complete 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

It's the kind that gives one the kind of confidence to go and let it rip. In his eight previous games as the Browns' quarterback, Watson's biggest problem seemed to be lack of confidence when dropping back to throw. He was hesitant, held on to the ball too long and didn't seem to be stepping into his throws.

If a completion like that one to DPJ is the one that unlocks the kind of talent a younger Deshaun Watson had before all the trouble he encountered in Houston eventually led him to the Browns, it'll make Kevin Stefanski's job as playcaller that much easier.

There's nothing more frustrating than calling plays for your quarterback in hopes he'll be successful. Up until Sunday, Watson gave Stefanski no reason to be perfectly confident with running the offense due to his self-destructive ways with the football.

Yes, it's only one game. But it was the kind of game many fans thought would never show up because of his inconsistency for so long. We'll all find out whether this is a blip with the Baltimore Ravens and their terrific defense up next on Sunday.

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Remember all those sensational statistics Schwartz's Marauders are ringing up this season after the first three games? Jim Schwartz is like a ringmaster out there. It's easy to see how much the players love playing for him. Here are a few more stats for you to chew on.

There are 60 minutes in a football game if overtime is not needed. That's 180 total minutes of football for the Browns to date. They have owned the football for 109 minutes and 43 seconds of those 180; the opposition a measly 70 minutes and 13 seconds, or roughly 23 minutes a game. 

One of the reasons for that lopsided stat can be found in how often the Cleveland defense shut down the opposition in three plays -- the dreaded three and out. Browns fans know all about that stat for the last 24 seasons, all for the wrong reason. Well, that worm has turned.

Not counting end of half or end of games kneeldowns, opposing teams have compiled 34 drives thus far. The Browns ended 14 of them after three plays. You want punts? How about 24 of them by the opposition. Brad Robbins of the Cincinnati Bengals drilled 10 in the season opener.

If there is one aspect of defense that can be niggled, it's turnovers. This very active defense has only two -- an interception and fumble recovery, both by safety Grant Delpit in the Pittsburgh loss. As hard as they hit, only one caused fumble. As well as they cover, just the one.

They're doing everything else so well, it's a stat that can easily overlooked. I'll bet Schwartz isn't overlooking it. He knows the importance of having a plus turnover ratio. Right now, the Browns are minus-5. 

The Steelers are tied for the lead in the AFC North with the Browns and Ravens because they are plus-4 with five takeaways in victories over the Browns and Las Vegas Raiders in the last two games. Opportunistic football cannot be undervalued.

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It was interesting to see Stefanski utilize all three running backs Sunday. Sort of a running back by committee for what probably will be this game only. Stefanski didn't wait long to get Kareem Hunt back into action. In fact, all three appeared for at least one play in the opening series that produced a field goal.

Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr. and Jerome Ford combined for 58 yards against the strong Titans run defense with Strong leading the way late in the game when the victory was already secured: Six carries for 27 yards against by then a tired defensive line.

Hunt checked in with 13 yards in five attempts -- he also caught a pair of passes for 22 yards -- and Ford booked 18 yards in 10 tries. Ford, who is still RB1, scored twice on a 19-yard reception and short dash around the left side from three yards. 

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Nice to see Elijah Moore more involved in the offense. The quick wide receiver is so versatile, you might say his best position is "just put the football in his hands." He touched the football a dozen times Sunday, catching all nine passes thrown his way as a receiver for 49 yards. 

He's the kind of player who can bust one at any given time, whether it's a reverse or short screen. With his speed and quickness, anything can happen. Stefanski hasn't dialed up a deep throw to him yet, but it's only a matter of time before he does. 

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Finally . . . Love the wrinkle Stefanski has come up with in short-yardage situations. Initially, he used center Nick Harris (6-0, 295 pounds) as the up man for blocking in front of the running back. Lately, he has gone with tight end Harrison Bryant (6-5, 230) and been successful. . . . The reason Amari Cooper was cheated out of a touchdown late in the second quarter: After making a terrific catch near midfield, the side judge ruled Cooper stepped out of bounds. Replay showed he did not, but the whistle stopped play and it was not reviewable. The possession wound up in a Dustin Hopkins 52-yard field goal. . . One final defensive stat and promise that's it: Opposing quarterbacks have connected on 49% (42 of 86) of their passes for 418 yards (139 per) and the only touchdown given up by the D this season.