Week 1: Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns 9/11/22 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns clash Sunday afternoon in Week 1 NFL action from Bank of America Stadium. Cleveland is fresh off their final preseason game versus the Bears. In that matchup, the Browns lost by a single point. As for Carolina, they played the Bills in their last exhibition game, posting a blowout victory. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Cleveland kicked off their 2022 preseason versus the Jaguars, eventually notching a 24-13 victory. Game two against the Eagles a back-and-forth affair; the Browns ultimately lost 21-20 in that one. Joshua Dobbs threw for 141 yards and rushed for a score during the defeat. 

In the final preseason matchup versus the Bears, the Browns were outscored 21-6 in the first half and couldn’t come back in a 21-20 defeat. QB Jacoby Brissett finished with 109 yards and a pick, while Javon Wims posted 41 yards off four catches. 

Over on the Panthers’ side, their first exhibition game against the Commanders worked out well, eventually turning into a 23-21 win. Carolina was a little more sluggish in game two versus the Patriots however, falling 20-10 with only 192 offensive yards to New England’s 375. 

The good news for the Panthers is that they were able to bounce back with a big win over Buffalo 21-0 for their final preseason outing of 2022. Carolina’s Baker Mayfield put up 89 pass yards and two scores, while John Lovett led both the rush (35 yards) and the receivers (36 yards). 

The Browns are 6-15-1 ATS in their last 22 in Week 1 and 2-6 ATS in their last eight overall. Cleveland is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 as a road favorite. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last four in September and 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 at home. Carolina is 2-12 ATS in their last 14 overall. 

PICK: I’m going to try Carolina in this one. It’s probably not worth messing with, though. The Panthers looked pretty good in their three-game preseason run—outside of the dud against the Patriots, that is. Most everybody got some work in during the Bills game, and the results were pretty good as far as penalties (three) and ball control (zero turnovers). With Mayfield under center for Carolina, it brings an extra layer of intrigue to this one. That said, Carolina is suffering from a host of injuries to notable players (Bozeman, Anderson, etc.) and they enter the season beat up. There are too many question marks for me to get near this game, but if all goes well for the Panthers I think they could conceivably pull off the win/cover.