Five Things to Watch vs. Cleveland: Let`s get started
The Carolina Panthers begin their 2022 marketing campaign at home, going through the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Defensively, Carolina has centered at the intention of moving “from right to wonderful,” and offensively, they will deliver new-discovered intensity alongside the offensive line and a brand new quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who will face his former crew in Week 1. That choose, Charlotte local Ikem Ekwonu, might be welcomed to the league with a matchup in opposition to 3-time Pro Bowler Myles Garrett. Ekwonu changed into named Carolina’s beginning left address halfway thru preseason action, and his 6-foot-4, 320-pound body makes him a herbal run blocker.
He has frolicked adjusting to byskip safety withinside the NFL, and he’s going to have his paintings reduce out for him in opposition to Garrett, a prolific byskip rusher. Watson is suspended for the primary eleven video games of the season, so Cleveland will begin Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. He consists of a 14-23 document as a starter, however Browns head train Kevin Stefanski will want Brissett to expose he can solution the decision for maximum of the season. Brissett’s preseason overall performance got here with combined results, maximum lately finishing 13-of-23 byskip tries for 109 yards and an interception in Cleveland’s 21-20 preseason loss to Chicago on Aug.
- He failed to lead the Browns to a touchdown, however he installation area intention tries of extra than fifty five yards. Even Mayfield stated he is aware of the Week 1 storyline is “wonderful. ” His departure from Cleveland changed into complete of headlines, and the following change to Carolina method that he’s going to play his former crew in his Panther debut.
Despite his records of fiery remarks and a reviews of highly spiced preseason change this season (which he denied), Mayfield has stored that aspect of his persona in large part buttoned up in media settings for the reason that his arrival. Mayfield seemed more and more more cushty in his very last preseason begin in opposition to Buffalo, going 9-of-15 for 89 yards and touchdowns. The Browns will possibly lean on their strengths withinside the run recreation, and Brissett could have a prolific pair of strolling backs to incorporate. Nick Chubb has averaged 5.
three yards in line with convey in his 5-yr profession at Cleveland, which stands 2d all-time withinside the NFL for gamers with at least 900 consists of. Chubb is the primary strolling again in league records to common extra than 5. zero yards in line with convey in every of his first 4 seasons. Hunt changed into named to the 2018 Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Chiefs, main the NFL in dashing yards that season.
The Panthers can even search for a sturdy overall performance from their beginning strolling again, as supermegacelebrity Christian McCaffrey returns in 2022 after damage-marred seasons. McCaffrey is one of the pinnacle tailbacks withinside the NFL, main the league for maximum scrimmage yards in line with recreation for the reason that 2019 (136. 6). He’s a flexible choice out of the backfield and withinside the passing recreation and led the NFL with 5,443 scrimmage yards from 2017-2019.
McCaffrey failed to play withinside the preseason, however head .
