The Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers matchup in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season promised to be an interesting one. Whether it is interesting good or interesting bad will be seen as the game goes on.
The story of the game is QB Baker Mayfield getting a shot at the team that traded him this offseason. After leading the Browns to the playoffs in 2020, Mayfield found himself unwanted as his team pursued QB Deshaun Watson.
The Panthers have some very talented players around their roster including RB Christian McCaffrey and DE Brian Burns. Burns will likely lineup across from James Hudson III at right tackle with Jack Conklin and Chris Hubbard inactive for today’s contest.
We will keep you up to date with as many of Cleveland’s highlights as we can right here so keep checking back all day.
JJ3 Gets a Big Sack on His Former Teammate
Their third drive finished off with John Johnson III sacking his former teammate:
stealth sack from JJ3 🥷
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📲: NFL+ pic.twitter.com/tZ4gEoPlHi— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 11, 2022
Johnson was all smiles after that play.
Delpit's Diving INT
After two straight tip passes by the Browns defensive line, S Grant Delpit made this great diving interception of Mayfield’s pass over the middle:
Mayfield’s pass is picked off by @realgrantdelpit! #Browns
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/4gWBg2qtZo pic.twitter.com/Q6rq5gkpPT— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
Hunt TD Reception Gets Points on the Board
After Brissett lofted a floater toward the endzone that caused a pass interference penalty, Kareem Hunt lined up at fullback before leaking out of the backfield for the touchdown:
Kareem Hunt gets the easy receiving TD after the Browns force a Baker Mayfield pick pic.twitter.com/n68kXhDFj3
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 11, 2022
Another TD for Hunt!
After a couple of strong catches by WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and a long run by RB Nick Chubb, Hunt gets the Browns their second touchdown of the day, this time on the ground:
Big day for @Kareemhunt7 @NFLFantasy owners 😁
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/4gWBg2qtZo pic.twitter.com/QPe6mqrjCl— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
With under 5 minutes left in the first half, Cleveland leads 14-0.
Speed of Schwartz on Display
While fans have been frustrated with WR Anthony Schwartz’s performance, the Browns seem intent on getting his speed involved on the field. Early in the game, Schwartz took an end-around handoff.
In the third quarter, with the defense focused on Nick Chubb, Schwartz took the pitch on a reverse and showed off his speed:
.@TheRealF1ash putting it in reverse 🔄
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Pu2ZvH4F5T pic.twitter.com/EuTljhhEwf— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 11, 2022
Garrett Shuts Down a Drive By Himself
After Cleveland’s defense gave up a first down due to a pass interference penalty, DE Myles Garrett took over the drive with two straight sacks including forcing a fumble by Mayfield.
Here is the first of those two sacks with Garrett blowing by the left tackle and Mayfield not having much of a chance:
The #1 overall pick in 2017 sacks the #1 overall pick in 2018. @Flash_Garrett
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/4gWBg2qtZo pic.twitter.com/elkBtExLGS— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
The second one was just as pretty but he had to beat two guys to get to Mayfield:
two blockers = no problem 💪
📺: #CLEvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Pu2ZvH4F5T pic.twitter.com/RD6asdPUOy— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 11, 2022
Cade Freaking York from 58 yards
From 58 yards away, Cade York puts the Browns up two points with just eight seconds left:
#Browns rookie kicker Cade York drills a 58-yard FG and Cleveland takes the lead over Baker Mayfield and the Panthers.
What. A. Kick. pic.twitter.com/zUuFTp0V9G
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 11, 2022