The Cleveland Browns got their second win of the 2026 NFL season Sunday, defeating Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers.
The Browns hosted the Panthers at Huntington Bank Field for a Week 3 matchup, winning 21-18. Deshaun Watson led the way for the home squad, finishing with 16 completions for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Young scored one touchdown for the Panthers. He completed 26-of-48 passes for 291 yards. He was also sacked three times.
Young was involved in a couple of contentious incidents during the game. With 1:15 remaining in the second quarter, the Panthers snapped the ball to their QB. Hall broke through the line and brought Young down with a big hit.
The tackle was deemed illegal, though. A flag was thrown on the play, and Hall was flagged for roughing the passer on the tackle. It resulted in an automatic 15-yard penalty against the Browns.
Cleveland was called for another roughing-the-passer violation 11 seconds later. This time, Browns defensive end Sam Williams was penalized for an illegal hit on Young.
According to the 2026 NFL rulebook, “any physical acts against a player who is in a passing posture (i.e. before, during, or after attempting a pass) which, in the game official’s judgment, are unwarranted by the circumstances of the play will be called as fouls.”
Under the league’s fines schedule, a roughing-the-passer penalty potentially carries a fine of $17,911 for a first offense and $23,882 for a second.
The NFL will review both plays and determine whether Hall and Williams will be fined. The league typically announces player fines every Saturday afternoon.
The Browns will now prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. They will be at home once again, hosting Aaron Rodgers and Co. at Huntington Bank Field.
The Panthers, meanwhile, will look to get back to winning ways in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions.
