The Browns beat the Panthers 21–18 at home in Cleveland, moving to 2–1. The Panthers fell to 1–2.
For the Browns, Deshaun Watson went 16-for-30 for 144 yards with 2 touchdowns. Quinshon Judkins ran for 70 yards on 18 carries. Harold Fannin Jr. caught 7 passes for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns.
For the Panthers, Bryce Young went 26-for-48 for 291 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Chuba Hubbard ran for 82 yards on 19 carries. Brycen Tremayne caught 4 passes for 83 yards.
On defense, Ronnie Hickman Jr. (Browns) had an interception and Mason Graham (Browns) had 2 sacks.
Recaps are written automatically from the final score and box score: player stats from nflverse (CC BY 4.0).
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Lineups as listed before kickoff (Panthers: Sep 27, 2026, 8:56 AM ET; Browns: Sep 27, 2026, 8:56 AM ET).
Panthers in this game: shotgun 64%, under center 29%, pistol 7% · one back 91%, two backs 4%, empty 5% · motion 47% (76 charted snaps).
As the team lists it: three receivers, one tight end and one running back. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Panthers lined him up on most snaps.
Two tight ends: the top two receivers stay on the field and the second tight end lines up on the left end. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Panthers lined him up on most snaps. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Four receivers and no tight end: the next receiver on the depth chart comes in. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Panthers lined him up on most snaps. Empty-backfield sets: 5% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
I-formation: two receivers and one tight end, with the quarterback under center and a fullback and running back stacked behind him. Two-back sets: 4% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement. No fullback on the depth chart, so the second tight end, Darren Waller, is shown at fullback.
Browns in this game: shotgun 74%, under center 22%, pistol 4% · one back 66%, two backs 25%, empty 9% · motion 68% (68 charted snaps).
As the team lists it: three receivers, one tight end and one running back. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Browns lined him up on most snaps.
LILB#55 Devin Lloyd Out (calf)Next up: Tyrel Dodson
RILB#58 Bobby OkerekeNext up: Maema Njongmeta
SLB#5 Jaelan PhillipsNext up: Princely Umanmielen
LCB#2 Mike JacksonNext up: Akayleb Evans
SS#7 Tre'von MoehrigNext up: Zakee Wheatley
FS#21 Nick Scott Out (rib)Next up: Lathan Ransom
RCB#24 Will Lee IIINo backup listed
Two tight ends: the top two receivers stay on the field and the second tight end lines up on the left end. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Browns lined him up on most snaps. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Browns offense, 2 TE
LT#55 Spencer FanoNext up: Dawand Jones
LG#77 Zion JohnsonNext up: Zak Zinter
C#74 Elgton JenkinsNext up: Luke Wypler
RG#78 Teven Jenkins Out (back)Next up: Austin Barber
LILB#55 Devin Lloyd Out (calf)Next up: Tyrel Dodson
RILB#58 Bobby OkerekeNext up: Maema Njongmeta
SLB#5 Jaelan PhillipsNext up: Princely Umanmielen
LCB#2 Mike JacksonNext up: Akayleb Evans
SS#7 Tre'von MoehrigNext up: Zakee Wheatley
FS#21 Nick Scott Out (rib)Next up: Lathan Ransom
RCB#24 Will Lee IIINo backup listed
I-formation: two receivers and one tight end, with the quarterback under center and a fullback and running back stacked behind him. Two-back sets: 25% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Browns offense, I-form
LT#55 Spencer FanoNext up: Dawand Jones
LG#77 Zion JohnsonNext up: Zak Zinter
C#74 Elgton JenkinsNext up: Luke Wypler
RG#78 Teven Jenkins Out (back)Next up: Austin Barber
LILB#55 Devin Lloyd Out (calf)Next up: Tyrel Dodson
RILB#58 Bobby OkerekeNext up: Maema Njongmeta
SLB#5 Jaelan PhillipsNext up: Princely Umanmielen
LCB#2 Mike JacksonNext up: Akayleb Evans
SS#7 Tre'von MoehrigNext up: Zakee Wheatley
FS#21 Nick Scott Out (rib)Next up: Lathan Ransom
RCB#24 Will Lee IIINo backup listed
Four receivers and no tight end: the next receiver on the depth chart comes in. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Browns lined him up on most snaps. Empty-backfield sets: 9% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Browns offense, 4 WR
LT#55 Spencer FanoNext up: Dawand Jones
LG#77 Zion JohnsonNext up: Zak Zinter
C#74 Elgton JenkinsNext up: Luke Wypler
RG#78 Teven Jenkins Out (back)Next up: Austin Barber