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Cleveland Browns vs. Panthers: Week 14 predictions

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs off the field after a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs off the field after a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Gregg Williams of the Cleveland Browns calls a play during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Gregg Williams of the Cleveland Browns calls a play during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Writer: Elliot Kennel

Game: Carolina Panthers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-7-1)

Summary: The NFL is entering the murky period where teams are seeing their playoff hopes in the throes of death.  For Cleveland, there is a theoretical possibility that they might make the playoffs at 8-7-1, but in reality, they are dead.  How will they react?  The buzz here is that are some angry young men in Cleveland, not the least of whom is Baker Mayfield.

They are not only angry because they are about to be eliminated from the playoffs, but they have also endured a season in which their Coach seemed to be working against them while running a dysfunctional offense and getting rid of players that rubbed him the wrong way.

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Playing angry is not negative in football if it is a controlled anger. The Browns might just be angry enough to win a football game. QB Mayfield was erratic last week but still threw for almost a light year in a losing effort.  Nick Chubb was held in check, but this week is facing a Carolina team in total disarray on defense.

The Panthers just fired DL Coach in Grady Hoke, the former Coach of The School Up North.  They also fired cornerback coach Jeff Imamura for good measure.  Head Coach Ron Rivera is taking over the playcalling responsibilities after the team gave up 126 points in the last four losing games, including 52 to Pittsburgh. This sounds like a desperation move for a team whose defense is getting shredded, while the team has lost four games in a row.   The Browns are going to score points this week.

On paper this a great matchup for the Carolina offense of OC Norv Turner (who, you may recall, was the OC for the Browns in 2013).  Christian McCaffrey has been playing like an All-Pro, with an incredible 1526 yards from scrimmage with four more games to go. Incredibly, he is both the leading ground gainer as well as the receiving yards leader for the team. The Browns run defense has been weak this year, and McCaffrey presents a major challenge.  However starting QB Cam Newton is ailing right now with a sore right shoulder, and it’s not clear how effective he will be on Sunday.

Carolina is still in the playoff hunt, but four consecutive losses put them in the back of the pack with several other teams.  The dream of a championship is slipping away, as the defense crumbles.  This is a tough mindset to recover from.  Why would this team be favored over the resurgent Post-Hue Era Browns?  The Browns should outscore the Panthers despite a big day by McCaffrey.

Final Score: Cleveland 31, Carolina 24.

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