Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers: Week 3 Need to Know
It is the home opener for Cleveland as they host Carolina. Here is everything you need to know about the game.
The Cleveland Browns take on the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the 2026 NFL season at Huntington Bank Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday. Deshaun Watson, the Browns' quarterback, will be making his first regular-season start at home in nearly two years. The Panthers, led by quarterback Bryce Young, have been riding a recent offensive surge, averaging 35.5 points per game.
The Browns, who have not scored more than 30 points since Week 7 of the previous season, are coming off a convincing win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with FOX providing the television coverage. Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, and Jen Hale will serve as the color analysts, while Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura, and Je’Rod Cherry will handle the radio commentary.
The Panthers, who last played in Cleveland eight years ago on November 21, 1999, currently lead the all-time series between the two teams, 4-3, while the Browns have won the last two meetings in Cleveland. The weather forecast calls for a high of 67 degrees with mostly cloudy skies and no rain expected. The Browns will wear their brown uniforms with orange pants, while the Panthers don their standard red and black colors.
Both teams have faced injuries this season; the Browns are without offensive guard Teven Jenkins and question whether cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Grant Delpit can play. The Carolina Panthers miss linebacker Claudin Cherelus, safety Nick Scott, and linebacker Devin Lloyd, with wide receiver Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette also listed as questionable.
Cleveland's offensive line is ranked 31st in the league, while the Panthers' defense is last in rushing defense, allowing 448 yards. Cleveland has gone 47 games without allowing a 300-yard passer, while the Panthers rank second in the league in pass plays of 20 or more yards. Bryce Young has thrown three touchdowns in each of the team's first two games.
The Browns will honor Alex Mack, Brian Brennan, and Lou Rymkus as part of the 2026 Browns Legends, while Denzel Boston, the team's rookie wide receiver, has scored a touchdown in each of his first two games, joining a select group of players in franchise history. The Panthers lead the league in takeaways with six. In preparation for the game, Cleveland's offensive coordinator Travis Switzer emphasized the importance of focusing on the process and trusting Watson's preparation.
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