Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – With Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is playing through a right shoulder injury, Carolina will likely depend on their ground game to beat the Browns Sunday.
Newton hasn’t been able to hit a lot of deep balls in recent weeks, which is good news for the Browns secondary which lost Denzel Ward this week but gained Terrance Mitchell off IR, but the Panthers average over 140 yards on the ground per game.
Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey is 111 scrimmage yards from breaking a franchise record in a single season. He is up to 863 rushing and 663 receiving yards on the season while combining to score 10 touchdowns.
Newton, who is averaging just under 5 yards per carry, has 450 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.
Baker Mayfield already bounced back last week in the second half by throwing for 351 yards and completing 25 of 30 passes after completing just 5 passes in the first half and throwing 3 interceptions.
Last week – Panthers lost to the Buccaneers 24-17, Browns lost to the Texans 29-13
Last Time – Dec. 21, 2014 Panthers 17, Browns 13
Series – The Panthers lead the all-time series 4-1
Rankings – Points scored: Panthers 11 (25.3), Browns 20 (22.2)
Yards: Panthers 11 (376.8), Browns 18 (360.3)
Rushing: Panthers 2 (140.8), Browns 14 (120.6)
Passing: Panthers 20 (236.0), Browns 16 (239.8)
Points allowed: Panthers 21 (25.5), Browns 24 (26.0)
Yards allowed: Panthers 14 (353.0), Browns 30 (412.8)
Rushing yards allowed: Panthers 6 (96.3), Browns 28 (136.4)
Passing yards allowed: Panthers 22 (256.8), Browns 29 (273.3)
Turnover ratio: Panthers 16t (+1), Browns 4 (+10)
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Jarvis Landry, TE Darren Fells, LT Greg Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Chris Hubbard, QB Baker Mayfield, TE David Njoku, WR Rashard Higgins, RB Nick Chubb
Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DT Larry Ogunjobi, DT Trevon Coley, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, WILL Genard Avery, MIKE Joe Schobert, SAM Jamie Collins, CB Terrance Mitchell, CB TJ Carrie, FS Damarious Randall, SS Jabrill Peppers
Inactives – CB Denzel Ward, QB Drew Stanton, CB Phillip Gaines (knee), OL Austin Corbett (foot), LT Desmond Harrison, DE Chad Thomas, DT Carl Davis
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WJW TV-8 (FOX)
Kickoff – 1:03 p.m. – FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – Browns 27, Panthers 23
