The Carolina Panthers bounced back in the best way in Week 2.
After a disappointing blowout loss in Week 1, the Panthers rebounded and picked up a blowout win of their own in Week 2. People might still be hesitant to believe considering the win was over the Falcons, and the Falcons look absolutely terrible so far in 2026.
You can count Pete Prisco of CBS Sports as one of those who’s not buying into the Panthers. In his weekly predictions post, Prisco has the Browns pulling off an upset over the team.
Prisco thinks the Browns’ defense is good enough to keep this offense in check and the Panthers’ defense is bad enough to allow some points.
“The Panthers are out on the road for the second straight week after blowing out the Falcons, while the Browns are playing their first home game. Bryce Young is rolling for the Panthers, but I think the Browns defense will play well again here as they did in Tampa last week. The Browns take it in an upset,” Prisco said.
The analyst has the Browns winning 23-20. Now, let me explain why I don’t think Prisco’s prediction comes to fruition.
Great Matchup for Panthers’ Offense
Bob Donnan - Imagn Images
The Browns’ defense was much better in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. But, is that a product of the unit being good, or Baker Mayfield and the Bucs struggling?
In Week 1, the Browns gave up 34 points to the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence had an easy day, completing 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns. This unit can be thrown on, and with the way Bryce Young has been playing, some big numbers could be coming.
The Browns are allowing 336.5 yards per game and 26.5 points. Both of those marks are in the bottom half of the league, so this is an ideal matchup for the Panthers.
Can Cleveland Move the Ball?
Cleveland’s offense is a mess. Only four teams are averaging fewer yards per game, and only seven teams average fewer points. Deshaun Watson has mostly been bad, and there’s some debate as to whether the team should move to Shedeur Sanders.
The Panthers’ defense was bad enough in Week 1 that even the Browns would be able to put up points. However, the Week 2 performance showed that this unit has plenty of talent. Plus, the Panthers have the best turnover differential in the league after forcing five last weekend.
