CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Baker Mayfield’s much-anticipated debut with the Panthers got off to a rocky start, completing just five of his first eleven pass attempts for 14 yards and an interception. Carolina’s offense went three and out on three of its first five possessions and couldn’t do anything downfield. Cleveland’s strong defensive front gave Carolina all sorts of problems, as expected. Jadeveon Clowney had two passes at the line of scrimmage and the Browns as a team had four pass breakups in the first half.
The Browns got a chance to score on their opening possession when Jacoby Brissett opened up Amari Cooper wide down the sideline. He waited too long, allowing Xavier Woods to get in close and force the incomplete. Jaycee Horn ran away from his pitch and if Brissett had noticed right away, the Browns would have taken a 7-0 lead from the start.
Baker Mayfield dropped a couple of plays that resulted in negative plays, but his biggest mistake of the first half was a poor throw to Shi Smith, resulting in an interception by Grant Delpit. Brissett threw a deep shot to Cooper at 3rd & 3 that was intercepted by Xavier Woods. Unfortunately, CJ Henderson tried to make up for the loss on the road and was called for defensive pass interference, placing the ball at the one-yard line. Kareem Hunt marked him on the next play.
The third down continued to be a problem for the Panthers’ defense as they allowed a 15-yard gain to Donovan Peoples-Jones and then a 25-yard flurry by Nick Chubb on the third and short on Cleveland’s ensuing possession. Once again, Kareem Hunt capped the drive with a touchdown. This time from 24 yards, without touching.
Carolina’s offense finally woke up from its slumber late in the half when Mayfield connected with DJ Moore for a 15-gain on 3-and-3, which was followed by a 50-yard bomb to TE Ian Thomas. Christian McCaffrey flew through the air and into the end zone a couple of plays later to put the Panthers on the board.
New Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro sent the kickoff out of bounds, allowing the Browns to start their final drive of the half at the 40-yard line. Cade York made a 26-yard field goal to put the game 17-7 at halftime.
After a combined 24 points were scored in the second quarter, both defenses found a rhythm after adjustments made at the half. A 34-yard field goal by Cade York was the only touchdown in the frame.
The Panthers’ offense put together its best drive of the day late in the third and into the fourth. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo made sure to engage Christian McCaffrey and get the ball out of Mayfield’s hands quickly after Ikem Ekwonu allowed back-to-back sacks to Myles Garrett on the previous drive.
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Mayfield dropped another snap, but McCaffrey picked it up off the ground and cut Cleveland for a gain of 32. Carolina methodically worked his way down the field, setting up a 7-yard touchdown run by Mayfield, bringing the Panthers within a score.
Cleveland added another York field goal, pushing the lead back to two runs, 23-14. One play later, Mayfield responded when he hit Robbie Anderson on the deep post for a 75-yard touchdown.
With the clock ticking down to two minutes, the Panthers desperately needed to stop and return the ball to their offense. Frankie Luvu made an excellent outfield tackle on Nick Chubb, who had split the Panthers all day (141 yards on 22 carries). Brissett’s third down pass fell incomplete to Donovan Peoples-Jones, forcing a punt.
Mayfield led the Panthers down the field, which began with a 26-yard completion to DJ Moore. Christian McCaffrey had a good catch and run for 21 yards and added an additional 15 yards for a horseneck tackle, moving the ball into the red zone. The Panthers played conservatively and played for the field goal. Eddy Piñeiro gave Carolina its first lead of the day, 24-23 with 1:17 remaining.
On the first play of the Cleveland series, Brian Burns was called for roughing up the passer, which appeared to be the wrong call. The right tackle’s shoulder pad popped Brissett’s face mask, causing the flag to be thrown. Brissett moved the offense to the Carolina 40-yard line and rookie kicker Cade York kicked a 58-yard field goal for the win.
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