The Cleveland Browns open the home portion of the 2026 NFL schedule on Sunday when they welcome the Carolina Panthers to downtown Cleveland.
The Browns are coming off an exciting win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game where quarterback Deshaun Watson, dare we say, looked like a competent NFL quarterback.
Carolina, on the other hand, is riding an unexpected offensive explosion behind quarterback Bryce Young that has the Panthers averaging 35.5 points per game. By comparison, the Browns have not
broken the 30-point mark since Week 7 of last season.
It’s the Browns vs. the Panthers in Watson’s first regular-season start in front of the home fans in almost two years, and the first visit by Carolina in almost eight years.
Here is everything you need to know about the game.
Game Info
Records: Cleveland is 1-1. Carolina is 1-1.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Stadium: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, and Jen Hale (sideline reporter)
Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Español)
Announcers: Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura, and Je’Rod Cherry (sidelines)
Last meeting: The Browns won the last meeting, 26-24, in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
First meeting: The Panthers won the first meeting, 31-17, on November 21, 1999.
All-time series: Carolina leads the all-time series, 4-3, but the Browns have won the last two meetings in Cleveland.
Weather: 67 degrees and mostly cloudy, with no chance of rain. Winds from the north at 13 mph. (weather.com)
Uniform: The Browns will be wearing their Sunday best, with brown uniforms and orange pants.
Injury report: Browns – Out: Offensive guard Teven Jenkins (back). Questionable: Cornerback Tyson Campbell (ankle/hip) and safety Grant Delpit (shoulder). Panthers – Out: Linebacker Claudin Cherelus (shoulder), safey Nick Scott (ribs), and linebacker Devin Lloy (calf). Questionable: Wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) and wide receiver Xavier Legette (knee).
The line: Browns +2.5 points, with an over/under of 41.5 points, per FanDuel.
News & Notes
- The Browns come into the game ranked No. 31 in rushing with 131 rushing yards.
- Carolina are last in rushing defense, having allowed 448 rushing yards.
- Cleveland has not allowed a 300-yard passer for 47 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the league.
- The Panthers are averaging 312.5 passing yards and are second in the league in pass plays of 20 or more yards.
- Carolina quarterback Bryce Young has thrown three touchdown passes in each of the first two games of the season.
- Cleveland will induct Alex Mack, Brian Brennan, and Lou Rymkus as the 2026 Class of Browns Legends on Sunday.
- Cleveland wide receiver Denzel Boston is just the second player in franchise history to have a receiving touchdown in each of his first two games, joining Andre’ Davis (2002) and Bobby Mitchell (1958).
- Boston is leading all NFL rookies in receiving yards (154), while wide receiver KC Concepcion leads all rookies with 10 receptions.
- Carolina are tops in the league with six takeaways.
- Defensive tackle Mason Graham is tied for the league lead in sacks for defensive tackles with two.
- Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt has converted 18 consecutive field goal attempts, dating back to last season.
- The Browns have yet to convert a third down in the first half, going 0-for-10 in the season’s first two games.
In Case You Missed It
- Can Deshaun Watson be the QB the team needs?
- Panthers vs. Browns Week 3 picks: How much respect did Cleveland earn?
- 3 Browns who have disappointed so far and need to step up in Week 3
- Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns Week 3 TV Map
- Quinshon Judkins could go crazy against Panthers, if this is any indication
- Browns Week 3: Scouting the Panthers, best team in the NFC South?
- If interest is there, does Browns Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel trade make sense?
- Playoffs? The Browns?
- Panthers vs Browns: Matchups to watch (Cat Scratch Reader)
- Panthers vs. Browns: Storylines to watch (Cat Scratch Reader)
A Final Quote
Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer on helping Deshaun Watson prepare for playing in front of the home fans (quote via a team-provided transcript):
“I think it’s just focusing on the process, and that’s all I’ve really seen Deshaun do since I’ve been around him. He’s focusing on his preparation and what it takes to win. There are a lot of things and preparation that go into being able to win a football game in the NFL on Sundays. And that’s something that, from the time I’ve been around him, he’s been awesome with. He really prepares, and I think that’s what gives him the confidence, and that’s why we’re also like, let it rip, you know, you do prepare, man, you’re ready. And like I said, he has been doing that. And I think we saw it last week especially.”
What are you looking for from the Browns in Sunday’s home opener against the Panthers?
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