Browns vs. Panthers: Prediction and odds for Week 1

Real football is finally here as the Cleveland Browns will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the 2022 season.

They look to start the season 1-0 for the first time since 2004 and will have to knock off a familiar face in order to do so. Baker Mayfield is the starter for the Panthers and has some playmakers around him with Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, and Laviska Shenault who was recently added in a trade with Jacksonville.

Will it be enough to handle the Browns running game led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt? Let’s see what the oddsmakers have to say and give out a prediction of our own.

Browns vs. Panthers Odds Week 1

Cleveland is entering the weekend as an underdog, with the Panthers getting 1.5 points. That’s down from the 2.5 it started at, but clearly, oddsmakers think these two teams are evenly matched — possibly giving the slight edge to Carolina since they will be at home.

The moneyline stands at +106 for Cleveland and -124 for the home team, with the over/under sitting at 41.5. This isn’t expected to be a shootout and with how each team is built, that’s probably a fair assessment.

Browns vs. Panthers Prediction Week 1

It’s been tough in Week 1 for the Browns, who haven’t won in the opener since 2004 and have just one tie from the 2018 season to show for their efforts. This week will be another tough one since the Panthers have an underrated defense and we all know this is going to be the best game of Mayfield’s season — it’s just how he’s wired.

The weather is expected to be a factor as showers are expected and that plays into Cleveland’s hands. They’re not going to win many games this season if it comes down to the aerial attack, at least not until Deshaun Watson is back, so the wet conditions could help keep this one on the ground.

If that’s the case, they should be able to steal a win 20-17 on the road thanks to Chubb and Hunt, finally ending one of the more unpleasant streaks in football.