Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers Week 1: Backup Jacoby Brissett Will Take Snaps Under Center

• The Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson is serving an 11 game suspension
• Panthers will start former Browns QB Baker Mayfield for this game, so expect tension
• Watch Browns vs Panthers on Sunday on September 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET on CBS

Browns vs Panthers Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM. Click on the links below to head to the sportsbook and place your bet.

Browns vs Panthers Pick

Of all the NFL QBs that Cleveland’s defense knows how to defend against it is their former QB Baker Mayfield, so expect the Browns to cover the spread in Carolina

Browns (+2.5) at BetMGM sportsbook

Pick made on 09/06/2022 at 08:35 AM EST

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Talk about the perfect grudge match, this NFL Week 1 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers pits an angry Panthers QB – Baker Mayfield – against the team that dumped him for a more elite player, a chance for him to prove them wrong with a big victory.

The Browns are in limbo under center since starting QB Deshaun Watson is serving an 11 game suspension, so backup Jacoby Brissett will handle that job now, a capable field general who will most likely not lose games for Cleveland if their defense can continue to step up.

If the Panthers expect to win in Week 1, they will not only need a top notch game from Mayfield, but they will also need dual threat RB Christian McCaffrey to be healthy and work his pass catching and tackle eluding magic, this game great for bettors looking for some heated action.

See the NFL Week 1 Parlay Top Picks, here!

Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers Predictions

Can the Browns Defense Stop Panthers Dual Threat RB McCaffrey?

The bad news for the Cleveland Browns is that McCaffrey is starting the season out healthy, this 5’ 11” 205 pound a former First team All-Pro selection as well as a Pro Bowler, and at only 26-years old he can continue to play in the NFL, that is if his body can stay healthy enough for him.

Cleveland will have a tough time stopping McCaffrey, although one weapon they are confident in is LB Jerimiah Owusu-Koramoah, a 2nd year player who covers the entire field with his speed and can tackle the most elusive players with his strength and skill, a fun matchup to watch for.

The other Browns weapon against McCaffrey will be LB Anthony Walker Jr., now in his sixth NFL season – his second with Browns DC Joe Woods – this 6’ 1” 235 pound tackling machine so far with 456 career tackles, 7 QB hits, 3 interceptions and a forced fumble on his resume.

Can Panthers New QB Baker Mayfield Beat his Old Browns?

For those NFL fans who didn’t pay attention over the offseason, former Browns QB Baker Mayfield was traded to the Panthers after he got upset that his old team’s front office went quarterback shopping when Deshaun Watson became available, the final straw in that camp.

Mayfield no doubt has a revenge fire burning and now that the torn labrum he suffered all last season has healed, he should have the skills to inflict lots of offensive passing damage to his former team, especially given that he practiced against them for his first four NFL seasons.

Now Mayfield, who has a career 61.6 completion percentage and 92 TDs compared with 56 interceptions, gets to face off against a D-line that contains DE Myles Garrett who will have no problem QB hunting his old friend with the help of DE Jadeveon Clowney from the other side.

Browns Key Player: (QB) Jacoby Brissett

While the Browns starting QB Deshaun Watson is serving his 11-game suspension for his off the field disgressions, backup Jacoby Brissett will take snaps under center, a veteran QB who has been thrown into the mix in the past for both the New England Patriots and the Indy Colts.

Brissett is a 6’ 4” 235 pound six-year veteran of the NFL and in his career he has competed 60 percent of his 1,208 attempts for 727 completions and 36 TDs with 17 interceptions, numbers good enough to get the job done but without the raw speed to escape the pocket under duress.

The Panthers secondary will challenge Brissett with CBs Donte Jackson and C.J. Henderson getting helped from safeties Jeremy Chinn and Xavier Woods, a group that was ranked 4th in the league against passes last season after allowing opponents just 192 passing yds per game.

Panthers Key Player: (RB) Christian McCaffrey

For Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey’s first three NFL seasons, he played in all 16 games and earned a reputation as a dangerous dual threat RB out of the backfield, but over his last two seasons he has only been able to play in 10 total games, an injury reputation that precedes him.

Now his ankle is healed after missing last year starting in late November, though despite such little playing time McCaffrey still managed to post a decent set of numbers averaging 4.5 yards a carry with 99 attempts for 442 yards and a TD plus 37 catches for 434 yards and a TD.

When healthy, McCaffrey is a key Panthers weapon and in Week 1 he will be as fresh as it gets, so expect this First-team All Pro and former Pro Bowler to stress the Browns D-line as QB Ryan Tannehill and WRs D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson distract Cleveland’s talented secondary.

Check out our NFL Week 1 Picks Against the Spread and be prepared for all the games to come!

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How to Watch Browns vs Panthers