5 Bold Cleveland Browns predictions for Week 1 against Panthers
By John Suchan
The Cleveland Browns will head to Charlotte to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the 2022 season. Here are 5 bold predictions for the opener.
The Cleveland Browns season kicks off in a few days against the Carolina Panthers. The big story of this Week 1 battle is that Carolina’s starting quarterback is none other than Baker Mayfield.
The Browns also have a new starter under center in Jacoby Brissett and a new wide receiver too in Amari Cooper so these additions should be intriguing as well to see how they handle the first game.
While many things could happen, we’ll try our hand at guessing a few bold predictions that would certainly help Cleveland post their first opening game victory in a very long time.
5 Cleveland Browns Bold Predictions for Week 1
5. Browns win Week 1 for the first time since 2004
Let’s begin with the one prediction that would make everyone the happiest. It’s something this team hasn’t done since 2004. Cleveland hasn’t won an opening game since then and it’s really an awful record that needs to end now.
This year, they have a Carolina Panthers team standing in front of them. The Panthers also have Mayfield under center, looking for his revenge game. He’s even produced a t-shirt for the first meeting.
Oddsmakers are predicting a loss for the Browns as they’re 2.5-point underdogs against the home team. Outside of Mayfield, the Panthers have an All-Pro at running back and Cleveland is suspect against the run, which may be the reason for the odds.
However, the Browns have a defense ready to take advantage of all the knowledge they have on Mayfield’s tendencies. They also have the best running back duo in the league with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ready to wreck the Panthers’ defense. In addition, they’ve brought in an All-Pro wide receiver Amari Cooper, who’s ready to roll and help his new team to a win.
Cleveland also has a very reliable game-managing quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, who can get the offense moving in the right direction. It’s never easy for the boys in orange and brown, but they have all the things they’ll need to win the game.