FINAL: Cleveland Browns 21, Carolina Panthers 18
Bryce Young has made a habit of delivering late-game heroics for the Carolina Panthers since entering the league in 2023, leading an NFL-high 12 game-winning drives.
Sunday afternoon in Cleveland, it appeared he had done it again.
Young’s 8-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie III gave Carolina an 18-13 lead with 4:25 remaining, capping the Panthers’ comeback from a 10-point first-half deficit.
This time, however, Deshaun Watson had the final answer.
The Cleveland quarterback escaped pressure on third-and-10 and found Harold Fannin Jr. for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:48 left. Watson’s two-point pass to Denzel Boston provided the final margin in the Browns’ 21-18 victory.
The Panthers had two possessions after Cleveland’s score, but the first ended on downs and second was ended by an interception with nine ticks remaining. Carolina dropped to 1-2, while Cleveland improved to 2-1.
The Turning Point
Carolina appeared to have stopped Cleveland’s game-winning drive when the Panthers intercepted a Deshaun Watson pass in the back of the end zone intended for KC Concepcion.
But a roughing-the-passer penalty by Bobby Okereke wiped out the turnover and gave Cleveland a first down at the Carolina 14.
Three plays later, Watson made the play of the game to put the Browns on top to stay.
The Panthers did get an extra possession when Cleveland failed to convert on fourth down with 1:01 to play. Young completed a 20-yard pass to the Panthers 42 with 37 seconds left. But after two incompletions, Young was hit while trying to throw to Darren Waller, and Cleveland’s Ronnie Hickman caught a floater to end the game.
By the Numbers
The Panthers actually controlled much of the statistical battle, outgaining Cleveland 360-259 and holding the Browns to just eight yards of offense in the third quarter.
But Carolina converted just 4 of 15 third downs and was hurt by seven penalties for 63 yards, none bigger than the roughing-the-passer flag that kept Cleveland’s winning drive alive.
Young completed 26 of 48 passes for 262 yards with one touchdown and one interception and was sacked three times. He connected with 10 different receivers, led by Brycen Tremayne with four catches for 83 yards.
Chuba Hubbard rushed 19 times for 82 yards.
Watson finished 16 of 30 for 144 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding 45 yards on the ground, including a 21-yard scramble.
Fannin caught both Watson touchdown passes and finished with seven receptions for 51 yards.
Defensive Standouts
Mason Graham helped lead the Cleveland defense with seven tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. Quincy Williams had a team-high nine tackles.
Carolina’s defense kept the Panthers in the game throughout the second half, including holding Cleveland to eight yards in the third quarter, but couldn’t get the final stop after the roughing-the-passer penalty extended the Browns’ decisive drive.
What’s Next
Carolina (1-2) returns home for a prime-time matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. It will be the Panthers’ first appearance on Sunday Night Football since 2016.
Cleveland will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, Oct. 1.
🏈 Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
CLE – Andre Szmyt 48-yard field goal – Browns 3-0
CLE – Harold Fannin Jr. 2-yard TD reception from Deshaun Watson (Szmyt kick) – Browns 10-0
CAR – Ryan Fitzgerald 35-yard field goal – Browns 10-3
Third Quarter
CAR – Ryan Fitzgerald 41-yard field goal – Browns 10-6
CAR – Ryan Fitzgerald 53-yard field goal – Browns 10-9
Fourth Quarter
CAR – Ryan Fitzgerald 37-yard field goal – Panthers 12-10
CLE – Andre Szmyt 45-yard field goal – Browns 13-12
CAR – John Metchie III 8-yard TD reception from Bryce Young (two-point conversion failed) – Panthers 18-13
CLE – Harold Fannin Jr. 14-yard TD reception from Deshaun Watson (Watson pass to Denzel Boston) – Browns 21-18
