The Browns defeated the Panthers, 21-18, courtesy of a late fourth quarter touchdown reception by TE Harold Fannin Jr. With the win, the Browns move to 2-1 on the season.
After going down 18-13 with a little over four minutes remaining in the game, QB Deshaun Watson orchestrated an 8-play, 55-yard drive that was capped off with his second touchdown pass to Fannin in the game.
The Browns stopped the Panthers' two ensuing offensive possessions to hold strong and earn their second straight win.
Watson finished the game 16-for-30 for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Fannin led the Browns in receiving, finishing with seven catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
Key Moments
Browns' defense stands tall on final possession
QB Bryce Young dropped back with under 30 seconds remaining from the Panthers' 42-yard line and lofted a pass that landed in the hands of S Ronnie Hickman. The home crowd at Huntington Bank Field erupted in cheers as the Browns stopped the Panthers' last-ditch effort to lead a game-tying field goal drive.
Watson connects with Fannin Jr. for go-ahead score
Down five with around two minutes remaining the fourth quarter, the Browns' offense was knocking on the doorsteps of the red zone when a roughing the passer gave them first-and-10 from the Panthers' 14-yard line.
After Watson exited the game for one play following the hit, he came back in the game and delivered a strike to Fannin for the go-ahead touchdown. The Browns capitalized on the 2-point conversion, as Watson fit a pass into WR Denzel Boston. After a quiet first half, Boston became an integral part of Cleveland's fourth quarter offensive performance. He finished the game with two receptions for 41 yards in addition to the 2-point conversion.
Panthers score their first touchdown of take lead
After being held without a touchdown for the first three quarters, the Panthers offense led a 6-play, 72-yard drive a little over 10 minutes into the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead. Young found WR John Metchie III for an 8-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead.
On the ensuing 2-point conversion, RB Chuba Hubbard was stuffed by the Browns' defense on a run up the middle to keep the lead at five.
Browns and Panthers trade lead with field goals
The Panthers took a two point lead a little under three minutes into the fourth quarter with their third straight drive ending with a field goal.
After going three-and-out on their first three drives of the second half, the Browns' offense needed a spark and an answer for the Panthers. And they found just that on their fourth drive, courtesy of Boston who broke free for a 28-yard reception — his first catch of the game. Six plays later, the Browns retook the lead around halfway through the fourth quarter on K Andre Szmyt's third field goal of the game.
Fourth down stop leads to Browns touchdown
For the second time in the first half, the Panthers opted to keep the offense on the field on fourth down. Similar to the first time, the Browns' defense stood strong, pressuring Young into an errant throw intended for TE Tommy Tremble.
With excellent starting field position at the Panthers' 40-yard line, Cleveland marched to the end zone on seven plays. Fannin capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-goal, finding himself wide open in the back right corner of the end zone.
Defense limits Panthers' offense to lone field goal in first half
The Panthers' explosive offense, which entered the day second in points per game in the NFL with 35.5 and tied for fourth with 409 yards per game, was held to three points and 113 net yards in the first half by the Browns' defense. There wasn't much room to operate in both the pass and run game, as Cleveland's defense fed off the energy of the home crowd. The Browns' defensive line, which the team refers to as the defense's "engine," made multiple key plays.
DT Mason Graham made one of those plays around midway through the second quarter, sacking QB Bryce Young on fourth-and-3 on the Browns' 43-yard line to force a turnover on downs. The play marked Graham's third straight game to start the season with a sack. On the ensuing offensive possession, Szmyt converted on a 48-yard field goal to give the Browns the lead and the first points of the game.
Late in the first half, DE Isaiah McGuire joined the sack club, bringing down Young on third-and-goal to force a field goal. McGuire's sack was his first of the season and the Browns' second of the first half.
Game Highlights
QB Deshaun Watson teams up with WR KC Concepcion for fourth down conversion.
RB Raheim Sanders picks up first down with 9-yard reception.
K Andre Szmyt puts the Browns on the board with a 48-yard field goal.
DT Mason Graham sacks QB Bryce Young on fourth-and-3 to force a turnover on downs.
RB Raheim Sanders carries the ball for 17 yards into the red zone.
QB Deshaun Watson finds TE Harold Fannin Jr. for 2-yard touchdown late in the first half.
DE Isaiah McGuire sacks QB Bryce Young on third-and-goal.
Scoring Plays
CLE 3, CAR 0 | K Andre Szmyt converts 48-yard field goal | 5:43 Q2
CLE 10, CAR 0 | TE Harold Fannin Jr. 2-yard touchdown reception | 1:37 Q2
CLE 10, CAR 3 | K Ryan Fitzgerald makes 35-yard field goal | 0:27 Q2
CLE 10, CAR 6 | K Ryan Fitzgerald converts 41-yard field goal | 13:22 Q3
CLE 10, CAR 9 | K Ryan Fitzgerald makes 53-yard field goal | 3:17 Q3
CLE 10, CAR 12 | K Ryan Fitzgerald converts 37-yard field goal | 11:41 | Q4
CLE 13, CAR 12 | K Andre Szmyt nails 45-yard field goal | 7:30 Q4
CLE 13, CAR 18 | WR John Metchie III 8-yard touchdown reception | 4:25 Q4
CLE 21, CAR 18 | TE Harold Fannin Jr. 14-yard touchdown reception | 1:48 Q4
What's Next
The Browns will host the Steelers at Huntington Bank Field for Thursday Night Football on Oct. 1 at 8:15 p.m.
