The Cleveland Browns pulled off another late escape on Sunday, beating the Tennessee Titans to improve to 5-2. Deshaun Watson played well for most of the game, yet one particular moment landed him in hot water.

Fans Accuse Deshaun Watson of Shifting Blame to Denzel Boston

Watson targeted Denzel Boston on Cleveland’s opening possession Sunday, but Tennessee Titans cornerback Cor’Dale Flott intercepted the pass. The turnover helped Tennessee take a 14-0 lead before the Browns rallied for a 27-24 win.

After the game, Watson explained what happened. He said Boston approached him right after the play and again in the locker room.

“He came and talked to me after the play and then after the game in the locker room, he came over and told me too… he understood that he kind of put the quarterback in a bad spot,” Watson said. “On a slant route, you can’t go underneath it and dip and try to go around, even if the guy played hard, you just got to force flat and then just probably knock it away if he plays it well.”

Watson added that he wouldn’t hold it against his young receiver. “It’s a teaching moment for a young receiver, and we’re not going to charge it against him,” he said. “I’m not going to be [expletive] off about it. It happens; it is what it is. We got the W, but it’s definitely a good teaching moment.”

Plenty of fans weren’t buying it. After News 5 Cleveland reporter Camryn Justice shared the quote on X, the replies piled up fast. “He can never say my fault lol,” wrote one fan.

Roberto Shenanigans took a harsher view. “Deshaun threw the rookie under the bus, putting all the blame on Boston for the interception and calling it a ‘teaching moment,'” he wrote. “At minimum Watson stared down the receiver and telegraphed that pass. Next time just say ‘Miscommunication’ and move on you [expletive].”

Julie Speels flipped the framing entirely. “The rookie telling the QB they were wrong even though the veteran QB was horrid on that play! Wish this guy would own anything!!!” she posted.

A user going by the name Black Power Moves also took a dig at Watson. “Not the vet throwing rookie receiver under the bus,” the account wrote.

Oxglitch zeroed in on the throw itself. “Watson saw the CB dip inside the WR and still threw it to the CB and he’s placing the blame on the WR. Horrible QB leadership,” the user wrote.

Watson ranks 24th among quarterbacks in the PFN QB Impact Rankings this season, with a grade of 69.7. He sits just behind Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett (70.2) and Seattle’s Sam Darnold (72.2).

Even though numbers suggest a mixed run of performances, Watson has played a vital role in the Browns’ solid start to the season.

Watson went 25-of-36 for 308 yards with no passing touchdowns and one interception against Tennessee. He also added 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries. That was just enough to steer the Browns past the Titans.

However, he has had a bittersweet relationship with the Browns faithful. Although Watson appears to be making progress with Browns fans, their reaction to the interception suggests he has yet to win them over completely.

Next up for Cleveland is a clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.