1:02 pm
September 11

Browns @ Panthers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Cleveland Browns (0-0)

@ Carolina Panthers (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Cleveland Browns: (-105)

Carolina Panthers: (-115)

 

• The spread for the game is Carolina by 1 point.

• As if Baker Mayfield does not already command a spotlight wherever he goes, the 2022 season opener comes with an extra level of shine for the new Carolina Panthers quarterback. Mayfield’s presence has expectedly loomed large since he arrived from the Cleveland Browns in an July trade. Now comes Baker’s chance to make his mark on the field when the Panthers open the season Sunday afternoon at home against those Browns. The Panthers’ trade for Mayfield came after the Browns acquired QB Deshaun Watson in March.

• The Browns will have Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback as Watson serves an 11-game suspension to begin the season over sexual misconduct accusations. Brissett is familiar to many in North Carolina after he finished his college career at North Carolina State in 2014-15. Cleveland’s offense also added four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

• The Browns have nine of their 11 defensive starters from 2021 in place, making that side of the ball the potential strength of the team at least until Brissett and the offense find a groove. Defensive ends Myles Garrett (Browns single-season record 16 sacks last season) and Jadeveon Clowney will be pursuing Mayfield.

• It’s a return of storylines to some degree for the Panthers. Last September, Darnold was in his first game with Carolina and faced his former team, the New York Jets, in Charlotte and came out on top. That gave the Panthers their first victory in a season opener since 2018. The Panthers have a new kicker in Eddy Pineiro, who has spent time with six organizations and most notably played all 16 games for the 2019 Chicago Bears. He was 8 of 8 on field goals last year for the Jets.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Cleveland Browns
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