The Browns and Panthers send us into the weekend this Friday as they meet at the Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte. The Panthers have strengthened as favorites and are expected to win by seven or more points. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET, and you can watch it on NFL Network.
Heading into the game, the main talking point revolves around Shedeur Sanders, who'll start for the Browns after his humiliating fall to the fifth round in this year's NFL Draft. The question is whether the Colorado alum will be able to ignite his team.
Let's get into my Browns vs Panthers prediction and my NFL predictions for Week 1.
Browns vs Panthers Odds
| Browns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -112 | 33.5 100o / -120u | +220 |
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -108 | 33.5 100o / -120u | -270 |
- Browns-Panthers Point Spread: Browns +6 (-112) · Panthers -6 (-108)
- Browns-Panthers Total: Over/Under 33.5
- Browns-Panthers Moneyline: Browns +220 · Panthers -270
NFL Picks: Preseason Week 1
This is Dave Canales' second year as Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers, but he's made significant changes this preseason. In 2024, Carolina was one of several teams that decided to rest their starters throughout the preseason.
You'll recall how poorly the team performed at the start of the regular season, losing seven of their first eight games. Lack of preseason action wasn't the only cause, but it could have played a part. Canales is rectifying this by giving his starters time on the field in the opening two games.
That means we're going to see Bryce Young, who ended the season well, as well as Andy Dalton and Jack Plummer. We know Dalton is a solid backup, but given how well we know his skillset, it's likely that it'll be Plummer getting the bulk of reps behind Young.
Indeed, if it's the former UDFA Plummer and not Dalton who plays the majority of snaps in this game, then the six-point favorite tag could be a colossal error.
We have to look out for Tetairoa McMillan too, with big things expected from the Panthers' first-round pick this year.
The real story comes on the other sideline where Shedeur Sanders has been confirmed to start at quarterback. The team will be resting their starter, Joe Flacco, while Sanders has earned the start with Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both sidelined with injuries.
The big question is whether he's going to be able to grab the opportunity with both hands and move his way up the depth chart when the action begins. We're also going to see the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, who has been confirmed as his backup on Friday, having recently been signed.
Elsewhere, the Browns will rest some of their starting talent, with Jerry Jeudy the biggest name missing on offense, and Myles Garrett's status for this game still unconfirmed. There's enough talent on the Browns roster, beyond the big names, to compete if Sanders can deliver the performance that his confidence suggests he can.
Browns vs Panthers Predictions
When it comes to taking a side, you have to grab the Browns and the points.
While Young will be amongst the Panthers' first stringers on the field, it's unlikely to be for that long, and the team showed throughout last season that they lack real quality in depth. It's clear that Canales is looking for something different this preseason, but it can't be avoided that the Panthers had a losing record last summer.
Kevin Stefanski has had most of his preseason success in the first week, and if Sanders flashes, then the Browns are more than capable of winning this game outright.
A lot has been written about Sanders since the NFL Draft process began, and it's not a lack of talent that saw him drop. He's been professional throughout camp so far and showed glimpses of starter talent.
Back him and the Browns to put up a fight on Friday night.
Pick: Browns +6 (-110, Fanatics)
How to Watch Browns vs Panthers
| Location: | Bank of America Stadium |
| Date: | Thursday, August 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7 p.m. ET |
Browns vs Panthers will be live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The game is live on NFL Network.
