Now this matchup between the Browns and Panthers, is straight up blockbuster stuff.
Deshaun won't be playing, but this picture is still pretty wild.
In the NFL world, the Browns franchise has been a central point of drama and opinions. Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield was essentially run out of the city for a dude in Deshaun Watson with pretty significant mental health challenges simply because he's 'better'. Personally, the more I think on it, I start to wonder just how much better Deshaun is than Baker. I don't think the difference is all that large.
Baker helped lead the Browns to not only the playoffs for the first time in an absurd amount of years, but also a playoff WIN!
After Baker was thrown to the side by the Browns, none other than the Carolina Panthers ended up scooping him up. The football gods then blessed all of us football fans and matched Baker up with his former team right away in Week 1! Baker is a pretty emotional, easily fired up guy and so he is absolutely out for revenge against his former squad.
This is just all an insane series of events.
On the Browns side of things, due to Deshaun being a creep, he won't be seeing the field until Week 13 against HIS former team. Until then, it looks like journeyman QB Jacoby Brissett will be getting the start in this highly anticipated matchup.
The Browns have a decent defense, and stellar run game, so they will still very much be able to compete at least to an extent.
Overall, I am pulling for Baker and the Panthers in this one. I think Baker's motivation and the fact that Christian McCaffrey will be healthy (for now) will be enough for the Panthers to get the win. Plus, Carolina will be at home pulling for their new QB.
Panthers win, 30-17, is my guess.
Who do you got?
Past Three Browns-Panthers Matchups!
- December 9th, 2018 - Browns Win 26-20
- December 21st, 2014 - Panthers Win 17-13 Box Score
- November 28th, 2010 - Browns Win 24-23 Box Score