The Carolina Panthers will look to build on their first victory of the season when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 27, in a matchup of 1-1 teams.
Carolina bounced back from its season-opening loss to Chicago with a dominant 34-3 victory over NFC South rival Atlanta. Cleveland also enters the game with momentum after rallying past Tampa Bay 23-19 for its first win under new coach Todd Monken.
Here’s everything you need to know about Panthers-Browns, including kickoff time, TV and radio information, betting odds, statistical comparisons, injury updates and storylines to watch as game week unfolds.
🔄 Last Updated: September 27, 2026 11:50 am
🏟️ How to watch Panthers at Browns
Matchup: Carolina Panthers (1-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, OH)
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo
TV Announcers: Chris Myers (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (analyst) and Jen Hale (sideline reporter)
📻 How to listen to the Carolina Panthers
Panthers Radio: WRFX 99.7 The FOX in Charlotte and affiliates across the Panthers Radio Network
Online Audio: Listen to Panthers Radio online
The Carolina Panthers Radio Network is led by play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff, with Jake Delhomme and Jim Szoke providing analysis. Panthers legend Luke Kuechly also joins the broadcast team as an analyst for select games. Szoke hosts the network’s pregame stadium show.
📊 Odds
Spread: Carolina -2.5
Total: 41.5 points
Moneyline: Panthers -130 | Browns +110
Lines via DraftKings on Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m. All lines are subject to change.
⏪ Last Time Out
Carolina Panthers 34, Atlanta Falcons 3: Carolina bounced back from its opening week loss to the Bears with a commanding win over an NFC South division rival. Bryce Young completed 23-of-36 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Darren Waller caught two TD throws. Devin Lloyd picked off two passes, returning one for a touchdown.
Cleveland Browns 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19: The Browns prevailed after a 2+ hour lightning delay in the fourth quarter. Deshaun Watson threw the go-ahead TD pass to tight end Blake Whiteheart with under four minutes remaining.
Panthers-Browns Game Day Inactives
Panthers inactives:
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
- QB Haynes King (emergency third QB)
- WR Xavier Legette
- S Nick Scott
- LB Devin Lloyd
- OT Albert Reese
- DT Cam Jackson
The biggest surprise for Carolina is Xavier Legette, who will miss the game after being listed as questionable with a knee injury. Coker, also questionable entering Sunday, is active and should help a Panthers receiving corps that will be without Legette.
Panthers Game Week Injury Report
This was how the Carolina Panthers injury report progressed through the week
Player Position Injury Wed Thu Fri Game Status Claudin Cherelus LB Shoulder DNP DNP DNP Out Nick Scott S Rib DNP DNP DNP Out Devin Lloyd LB Calf DNP DNP DNP Out Bobby Brown III DT Back FP FP FP — Patrick Jones II OLB Back FP FP FP — Darren Waller TE Not injury-related/rest DNP FP FP — Jaelan Phillips OLB Back DNP FP FP — Jalen Coker WR Ankle LP DNP LP Questionable Xavier Legette WR Knee DNP LP Questionable
SOURCE: Panthers.com.
Cleveland Browns inactives:
- CB Tyson Campbell
- QB Taylen Green (third quarterback)
- LB Justin Jefferson
- C Parker Brailsford
- G Teven Jenkins
Tyson Campbell is a notable absence for the Cleveland secondary after entering Sunday listed as questionable with ankle, hip and knee injuries. Jenkins had previously been ruled out with a back injury. Safety Grant Delpit, who was also listed as questionable earlier in the week, is active.
Browns Game Week Injury Report
This was how the Cleveland Browns injury report progressed through the week
| Player | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
| Tyson Campbell | CB | Ankle, Hip, Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Grant Delpit | SAF | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Mason Graham | DT | Groin | LP | LP | FP | Unspecified |
| Tytus Howard | OT | Knee | LP | FP | FP | Unspecified |
| Teven Jenkins | G | Back | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Quinshon Judkins | RB | Not Injury Related – Personal | LP | FP | Unspecified | |
| Quincy Williams | LB | Knee | LP | LP | FP | Unspecified |
DNP: Did not participate | LP: Limited participation | FP: Full participation
🔍 Storylines to watch for Panthers-Browns
Panthers’ backfield changes again
The Panthers will have to reshuffle their running back rotation after another frustrating injury setback for Jonathon Brooks. The 2024 second-round pick missed all of last season recovering from the second ACL tear of his career and had finally returned to action at the beginning of this season. Brooks was placed on injured reserve Wednesday after undergoing surgery for a core-muscle injury suffered against Atlanta and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Chuba Hubbard remains Carolina’s lead back, while veteran AJ Dillon moves into a larger role behind him. The Panthers also reportedly worked out veteran Austin Ekeler on Wednesday, so the makeup of the backfield could change again before Sunday’s game in Cleveland. But for now, Carolina will move forward with Hubbard as the lead back and Dillon taking on an expanded role behind him.
Can Deshaun Watson solidify his hold on QB1
Browns coach Todd Monken said Monday he’ll be happy when the media stops asking who will start at quarterback for the Browns. Deshaun Watson did his part to remain QB1 on Sunday, leading Cleveland to its first victory of the season.
As a result, Cleveland’s Week 3 depth chart lists Deshaun Watson QB1, Shedeur Sanders QB2 and rookie Taylen Green QB3. More importantly, the Browns are talking about Watson this week as their starter, not as part of an ongoing competition. Through two games he’s at 443 yards, three TDs, one INT and a 112.9 passer rating.
Matchup spotlight: Bryce Young and Carolina’s passing game vs. Cleveland’s defense.
Carolina enters the weekend leading the NFL at 312.5 passing yards per game, Young is second with 648 passing yards and tied for the league lead with six TD passes, and Cleveland hasn’t allowed a 300-yard passer in its last 47 games. Young also has an NFL-high nine completions of at least 25 yards.
Panthers run defense vs. Cleveland’s rushing attack
Something has to give. Cleveland hasn’t been able to run the ball, while stopping the run was one of Carolina’s biggest defensive problems in the opener two weeks ago. Cleveland is averaging just 65.5 rushing yards per game, while Carolina’s run defense went from allowing 291 yards against Chicago to just 68 against Atlanta.
A familiar face for NC State fans
Former NC State standout wide receiver KC Concepcion already has 10 catches for the Browns this season for 71 yards. Concepcion was a first-round pick for Cleveland this past April.
📊 Panthers at Browns Stats and Trends
Team Stats
| Team Offense | Carolina | Cleveland |
| Total offensive yards | 818 | 539 |
| Yards per play | 6.5 | 5 |
| Passing yards | 648 | 443 |
| Passing yards/attempt* | 8.8 | 8.5 |
| Rushing yards | 193 | 131 |
| Yards per rush | 4.4 | 2.9 |
| First downs | 42 | 29 |
| Touchdowns | 9 | 3 |
| Team Defense | Carolina | Cleveland |
| Offensive yards allowed | 838 | 673 |
| Yards allowed/play | 6 | 5.4 |
| Passing yards allowed | 414 | 427 |
| Rushing yards allowed | 448 | 263 |
| Yards allowed/rush | 6.3 | 4.6 |
| First downs allowed | 43 | 40 |
| Touchdowns allowed | 8 | 5 |
| Situational statistics | Carolina | Cleveland |
| Third-down conversions | 10 of 23 | 6 of 21 |
| Third-down percentage | 43.50% | 28.60% |
| Fourth-down conversions | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Sacks allowed | 4 | 7 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Field goals | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 |
| Turnover differential | +3 | -1 |
⭐ Individual Leaders
Carolina Panthers
- Passing: Bryce Young – 648 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Rushing: Chuba Hubbard – 102 yards
- Receiving: Jalen Coker – 204 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Tackles: Devin Lloyd – 22 total tackles
- Interceptions: Devin Lloyd – 2 interceptions
Cleveland Browns
- Passing: Deshaun Watson – 443 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Rushing: Deshaun Watson – 60 yards
- Receiving: Denzel Boston – 154 yards
- Tackles: Carson Schwesinger – 20 total tackles
- Interceptions: Myles Harden – 1 interception
What the Numbers Say
- The Panthers have generated substantially more offense, averaging 6.5 yards per play compared with Cleveland’s 5.0. Carolina also has a considerable advantage in third-down efficiency, converting 43.5% of its opportunities to Cleveland’s 28.6%.
- The Browns have struggled to establish their running game, averaging just 2.9 yards per attempt. Cleveland has also allowed seven sacks compared with Carolina’s four.
- Defensively, both teams have surrendered considerable yardage. The Panthers have been particularly vulnerable against the run, allowing 6.3 yards per carry.
- Carolina’s plus-three turnover differential compared with Cleveland’s minus-one provides another notable contrast.
📚 Series History: Panthers vs. Browns
- The Carolina Panthers lead the all-time series 4-3. The Panthers are 2-2 playing at Cleveland
- Last Meeting: Cleveland 26, Carolina 24 (Sept. 11, 2022)
- First Meeting: Carolina 31, Cleveland 17 (Nov. 21, 1999)
- The Panthers have lost the last two meetings (2022, 2018) and three of the last four.
🔗 More Carolina Panthers Coverage
- Carolina Panthers Hub Page: Find schedule, team information, links to past games and brief history
