The Carolina Panthers scored over 30 points in each of their first two games this season, moving the chains and putting up touchdowns with ease in a loss to Chicago and a win in Atlanta.
It was a totally different story on the field today in Cleveland—where Carolina got into an ugly defensive slugfest controlled and defined by the action at the line of scrimmage. While that dynamic wasn't entirely one-sided, the Browns won enough of those battles and made enough plays to come out on top, 21-18.
Here are your studs and duds for the Panthers in Week 3 . . .
Dud: Offensive line
It's difficult to do much of anything offensively when you're getting punished at the line of scrimmage the way the Panthers were today.
Carolina got almost no push whatsoever in the rushing game,
contributing to a brutal first half for running back Chuba Hubbard. They also allowed a lot of pressure on quarterback Bryce Young, keeping a low lid on what he could accomplish.
In addition to taking three sacks and eight hits, Young was constantly harassed in the pocket and had to throw a lot of balls away to avoid getting hit. For the most-expensive offensive line in the game to perform like this is a massive disappointment, to say the least.
Dud: RB Chuba Hubbard (1st half)
As we mentioned, there's only so much anyone can do when the offensive line is getting bullied. That being said, running backs can't expect to get great blocking every week—but Hubbard was totally ineffective trying to gain ground against Cleveland's defense, at least in the first half.
Hubbard couldn't make anybody miss the way he did in Weeks 1 and 2, and went into the locker room with just 18 yards on 10 carries.
Stud: RB Chuba Hubbard (2nd half)
Whatever Hubbard did in the locker room at the break, it definitely worked—because he came out in the third quarter a totally different player.
Hubbard was far more explosive and elusive in the second half, breaking off several big runs to help get the Panthers back in the game and into the end zone. By the end, Hubbard had racked up 82 rushing yards on 19 carries, plus 28 more yards as a receiver.
Dud: WR Tetairoa McMillan
McMillan, thanks to Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, pulled off quite a disappearing act. He recorded just two receptions for 17 yards.
With Xavier Legette inactive and Jalen Coker going out early with a quad injury, McMillan needed to step up. He did not.
Stud: WR Brycen Tremayne
The offense got some receiving production in the form of Tremayne, who's usually only a core special teamer. He changed that narrative today, making a few impressive catches on his way to a game-high 82 receiving yards.
Studs: Tight ends
Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik has done a lot of things better than head coach Dave Canales as a play-caller. One of them is getting the tight ends more involved in the passing attack.
That change paid big dividends today, as Carolina got significant contributions from Mitchell Evans (three catches, 36 yards), Tommy Tremble (three catches, 41 yards) and Darren Waller (five catches, 51 yards).
Dud: Pass rush
The Panthers did manage to pressure quarterback Deshaun Watson a good bit, but they had a hell of a hard time trying to bring him down—similar to what happened Week 1 against Caleb Williams. While that was understandable, the Panthers made Watson look like his prime form in Houston the way he was able to escape their rushers over and over again.
In the end, Watson managed to scramble for 46 yards on nine carries, while Carolina only got to him for two sacks. Watson also completed several huge throws on the run, including the game-winning touchdown to tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Studs: Safeties
The Panthers defense didn't have a lot of standouts, but there were a few on the back end who had themselves a day.
Safeties Lathan Ransom and Tre'von Moehrig both established a physical presence, including some big hits on Watson as he was scrambling. Rookie Zakee Wheatley also contributed some nice stops, totaling five tackles.
Ransom led the Panthers with eight takedowns on the day.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Studs and duds from Panthers' Week 3 loss to Browns
