The Carolina Panthers didn't get much of a battle out of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, where they steamrolled their way to a 34-3 win. But Week 3, against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field, was a very different story.
Sunday played host to a trying dogfight, as both offenses were often stymied throughout the afternoon. And in the end, it was the Browns who got off the final and deciding bite.
Here are our biggest takeaways from the Panthers' 21-18 loss . . .
O-line comes up short
Quarterback Bryce Young wasn't nearly as effective as he was in the first two starts of the campaign—averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt against the Browns. But it was his protection, or lack thereof, that must shoulder the load of a disappointing offensive showing.
Between star
cornerback Denzel Ward locking down wideout Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker exiting early with a quad issue, Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg exploited the Panthers' underwhelming receiving corps—sending the pressure time after time. And much of that disrupted the rhythm for Young, who was sacked three times—with one causing a foot injury.
The cherry on top for Cleveland came on Carolina's final play from scrimmage, when Young's throwing arm was hit by defensive end Derek Barnett—resulting in a wobbly pass and an easy game-sealing interception for safety Ronnie Hickman.
Outside of their lone touchdown drive of the outing, the Panthers couldn't offer up enough resistance for its passing game nor enough push for its rushing attack—despite offensive coordinator Brad Idzik's best efforts to establish running back Chuba Hubbard.
Scrambling QBs an issue for the defense
In Week 1, the Panthers allowed a franchise-record 59 points. That insane output from the Chicago Bears was fueled by the legs of quarterback Caleb Williams, who broke down the defense for 65 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Although to a lesser degree in Week 3, Carolina's issues containing the threat of the scramble played a part in dooming them in. The production from Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who completed just 16 of his 30 throws for 144 yards, came mostly when he was on the move—like on his game-winning eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
To the credit of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, the pressure from his unit was able to flush Watson out numerous times. But as head coach Dave Canales alluded to after the game, the group has to do a better job of controlling their pass rush and containing the quarterback.
Injuries hitting hard
The game wasn't the only thing that might've been lost on Sunday.
Carolina saw a handful of key players leave with injuries—including wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) and starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin). In addition, Young and starting left guard Damien Lewis both appeared to battle through some setbacks to complete the grueling contest.
We'll get clearer outlooks on each player this upcoming week, possibly starting on Wednesday.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' painful Week 3 loss to Browns
