Browns fans cheer Deshaun Watson's late go-ahead TD throw that leads comeback win over Panthers

There were no late-game boos in Cleveland on Sunday.

Deshaun Watson overcame early struggles against the Carolina Panthers to lead the Browns to a come-from-behind 21-18 win . The Browns QB led an eight-play, 65-yard drive in the game's final 4:19 that he capped with a touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to give the Browns a 19-18 lead.

He then found Denzel Boston in the end zone for a successful 2-point conversion.

The Panthers had two chances in the final two minutes at a drive to tie or take the lead. But the Browns' defense got the job done to ensure victory in Cleveland's home opener.

Cleveland and Carolina struggled to move the ball for most of the game

Most of Sunday's game was a slog for both offenses. The Browns carried a 10-9 lead into the fourth quarter as neither team found success moving the ball.

Panthers QB Bryce Young led a 72-yard drive that he capped with Carolina's first touchdown of the day on a pass to John Metchie to give the Panthers an 18-13 lead with 4:25 remaining.

That set Watson up with a chance to play the hero for the Browns, and he delivered with the 2:37 touchdown drive that featured a 21-yard scramble on third down in addition to his scoring pass. This also drew cheers from the Cleveland crowd.

When it was over, Watson celebrated the moment with fans cheering in the stands as he ran off the field.

Have Browns fans turned the corner on Watson?

When it was done, Watson had completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers. He did most of his damage in the fourth quarter after tallying 67 yards on 3.2 yards per attempt through three.

His final line that added up to 4.8 yards per attempt was far from a thing a beauty. But it was enough to secure a win. And for Browns fans, that appears to have been enough for Watson to get back into their good graces. For now, at least.

A fan base that's weary of losing and was infuriated in the preseason by Watson earning the starting job appears to have now embraced its embattled quarterback amid a 2-1 start.

Watson's reception pregame, during early struggles

Much was made of Watson's anticipated reception for Cleveland's home opener after he helped the Browns to a Week 2 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ensuring that he would remain Cleveland's starter in Week 3.

Watson had previously reached pariah status in the city due to a combination of years of poor play while on a $230 million contract and the two dozen women who accused him of sexual misconduct .

He was booed loudly at home in the preseason, then chastised Browns fans for voicing those feelings before head coach Todd Monken named him as starter over Shedeur Sanders .

Watson then played poorly on the road in a 34-10 Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars , setting him up to potentially be benched with further poor play. But he played well enough to lead the Week 2 win over Tampa Bay and keep his job.

And Browns fans were largely subdued during pregame introductions as Watson and Sanders took the field together.

Scattered boos could be heard on the broadcast as Cleveland's offense struggled through the first three quarters Sunday, especially in the third quarter when Cleveland went three-and-out on three consecutive possessions.

But Browns fans were ultimately looking for a reason to cheer on Sunday, and despite Watson's history on and off the field, they ended Sunday's game by embracing his and the Browns' performance.

After the game, Monken spoke glowingly about Watson's late-game recovery and told reporters that he's 'happy for him." He stopped a reporter's question to make sure he got in his praise of his quarterback.

"We had not coached well enough on offense, we had not played well enough," Monken said. "He probably didn't play as well as he wanted. "But to get knocked down, come back in an make a play and then the 2-point conversion — this is about him. … I'm really happy for him."

"We had not coached well enough on offense, we had not played well enough," Monken said. "He probably didn't play as well as he wanted.

"But to get knocked down, come back in an make a play and then the 2-point conversion — this is about him. … I'm really happy for him."

Neither Watson nor Cleveland's offense have been lights-out through three weeks. But they've been good enough for a 2-1 start and to subdue any calls to give Sanders another shot as the starter after he struggled mightily last season as a rookie.

Next week will be another significant test for Watson as the Browns host a rejuvenated Steelers team that secured a 30-27 win over the Bengals on Sunday. As long as Cleveland keeps winning, Browns fans appear ready to embrace Watson as their quarterback.