5 pivotal matchups in the Browns season opener

3. Denzel Ward vs D.J. Moore

For a football fan, there’s not a more compelling thing to watch than strength going head to head with strength. That is exactly what will be on display in the season opener when Denzel Ward matches up with Carolina wideout D.J. Moore.

In Moore, the Panthers have an ascending dynamic playmaker that can hurt a defense in both the long and short game. Carolina would be wise to move the shifty Moore around and avoid Denzel Ward’s side of the field whenever possible. But in the flow of the game, Ward and Moore will see plenty of each other on Sunday.

Ward is coming off his best season as a Pro and will be looking to build upon his reputation as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks. While Moore did set a career-high in receptions in 2021 with 93, his overall yardage and average yard per catch both saw a slight dip. But now, with Baker Mayfield as Carolina’s trigger man, you can expect more than a few deep shots to the speedy Moore over the course of a game.

This should be a great measuring stick matchup for both Ward and Moore to see where the former 2018 first-round picks stack up against one another.