Baker Mayfield started off his career for the Carolina Panthers feeling dangerous . . . for the wrong team.
The former Cleveland Browns quarterback was playing awfully well for the Cleveland Browns at the beginning of Sunday’s season opener. Mayfield struggled mightily early on in Week 1—having a handful of passes batted down, bobbling two snaps, missing on his receivers and even gifting his old friends with a turnover.
Less than three minutes into the second quarter, Mayfield sailed a pass over the head of his intended target—wideout Shi Smith—and right into the arms of Browns safety Grant Delpit.
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
Before the pick, the offense finished the first 15 minutes of play with -1 (yes, -1) passing yards. Mayfield had completed four of his seven throws for seven yards.
After the pick, Cleveland took advantage. Thanks to the field position, and a 34-yard pass interference penalty on cornerback CJ Henderson, Browns running back Kareem Hunt found the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown reception.
Luckily, not all hope was completely lost—even after Hunt put up another six on a 24-yard run.
Mayfield bounced back a bit, leading the Panthers on a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive late in the half, one highlighted by a 50-yard catch-and-run from tight end Ian Thomas. Running back Christian McCaffrey capped off the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 14-7 following the two-minute warning.
He went 🆙🆙🆙@CMC_22 pic.twitter.com/S6BaWPMKYV
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 11, 2022
So, with the Browns up 17-7 at the break, we might want to put those t-shirts on hold for now.
