The Carolina Panthers hit the road again Sunday as they travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in a Week 3 matchup between two 1-1 teams.
Carolina enters the game with plenty of momentum after dominating the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 last Sunday. The Panthers’ offense has been productive through the first two weeks, particularly through the air. Bryce Young has helped Carolina average 312.5 passing yards per game, the best mark in the NFL entering Week 3.
Young will face a Cleveland defense that has been especially difficult to throw against. The Browns have not allowed a 300-yard passer in 47 consecutive games, giving them a major challenge to maintain that streak against the Panthers’ passing attack.
Panthers Defense Faces a Test
While Carolina’s offense has been clicking, the defense will have an important challenge of its own. The Panthers have allowed 224 rushing yards per game through two weeks, the highest figure in the league. Cleveland has struggled to establish its running game, averaging only 65.5 rushing yards per contest, but the Browns will likely look for opportunities to attack that weakness.
Deshaun Watson is set to start at quarterback for Cleveland. Through two games, Watson has completed 40 of 52 passes for 443 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while also contributing 60 rushing yards.
The Browns also have a pair of young receivers making an early impact. Denzel Boston leads Cleveland with 154 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while KC Concepcion has recorded 10 catches through the first two games.
Injury Concerns for Carolina
The Panthers will be dealing with several defensive injuries. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is out with a calf injury after earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors following his two-interception performance against Atlanta. Claudin Cherelus and safety Nick Scott are also expected to miss the game.
Carolina will also be without running back Jonathon Brooks, who is headed to injured reserve after suffering a groin injury. That puts additional responsibility on Chuba Hubbard and the rest of the Panthers’ offensive backfield.
With both teams sitting at 1-1, Sunday’s matchup provides an early opportunity for Carolina to build on its Week 2 performance while Cleveland looks to protect home field. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
