As the Browns secured their 21-18 win over the Panthers in Week 3, multiple players stepped up in critical moments. Cleveland scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a late score where QB Deshaun Watson found TE Harold Fannin Jr. for the go-ahead touchdown with under two minutes remaining in the game.
"What a great win for the Browns," head coach Todd Monken said. "And it's really, like I said, it's credit to our guys collectively. Our defense played their *** off, really did. And a lot like last week – last week we went for it fourth down at our own end, held them to a field goal. This week, we come out of halftime, we turn it over on the kickoff return, and they hold them to a field goal. Those are momentum swings just because of the score. And then even at the end, we don't get the first down and the defense holds them."
Here are five players that were crucial to the Browns recording their second consecutive win and improving to 2-1 on the season.
Ronnie Hickman
When the Browns needed a stop at the end of the game, S Ronnie Hickman delivered. As the Panthers were driving the ball down the field with under 30 seconds remaining in the game and nearing midfield, Hickman intercepted QB Bryce Young to put the final stamp on the Browns' win. DE Derek Barnett affected the pass on the interception, causing the ball to flutter.
"The ball was in the air for a minute and when the ball is in the air for that long, things can go wrong," Hickman said. "So, I was just making sure I was able to catch it."
The interception marked the Browns' second of the season and was their second straight game with a turnover. In addition to recording his fourth career interception, Hickman tallied eight total tackles in the win, which was tied for the second most on the Browns.
Isaiah McGuire
DE Isaiah McGuire was a crucial part of the Browns' pass rush, which applied heavy pressure on Young throughout the game. McGuire made one of his biggest plays in the game towards the end of the first half, sacking Young for a loss of 13 yards on third-and-goal. The Panthers were forced to settle for a field goal on the drive following the sack. After the game, McGuire credited his fellow defensive linemen with helping alongside him in the pass rush.
"We just all know that we are rushers," McGuire said. "From me to (DE Jared) Verse, to (DT) Mike Hall, to the inside, to the outside – like (DE) Sam Williams, (DE Derek) Barnett, (DT) Adin (Huntington) all of us. We come with that mentality each and every day."
The sack marked McGuire's first of the season, giving him 6.5 in his career. McGuire also recorded one quarterback hit and two tackles for losses in the win. After a season-ending injury to DE Alex Wright during training camp, McGuire has stepped up into a starting role opposite of DE Jared Verse on the Browns' defensive line.
Mason Graham
DT Mason Graham continued his hot start to the season, recording a career-high two sacks and seven tackles. Graham joined Myles Garrett — who accomplished the feat in 2019 — as the only other Browns player to record a sack in each of the team's first three games to start a season.
"It feels really good," Graham said. "Just seeing the practice habits come to life. It's really what it is. Just also my guys up front. We all work together on those rushes, it wasn't just me. It was fun out there today."
With the two sacks, Graham is up to four on the season, which is tied for the fourth most by a Browns player through first three weeks of a season. On top of his sack production, Graham also tallied two quarterback hits and three tackles for losses.
Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin paved the way for the Browns on offense, scoring both of Cleveland's touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with seven receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
"Harold is a playmaker," Watson said. "Just try to get the ball in his hands. If we can get the ball in his hands, and go at him as much as possible, special things are going to happen."
With the two scores, Fannin recorded his first multi-touchdown game of his career and became the first Browns tight end with two receiving touchdowns since David Njoku on Dec. 2, 2024. Fannin — who is just three games into his second season — has 86 career receptions, which ranks as the third most by a Browns tight end through their first two years.
Quincy Williams
While playing in front of the home crowd for the first time as a member of the Browns, LB Quincy Williams led the team with nine tackles. He finished the game with five solo tackles, one quarterback hit and one tackle for loss.
"I'm trying to lead this team by example, number one," Williams said. "Just trying to lead by my play and not just being a vocal leader. So, me being a vocal leader helps a lot after I make plays and stuff. So, I like that, the past couple of weeks I haven't played up to my potential or what they brought me here to do. So today, being at home and then also just making a pact with myself saying 'all right, let's start something different.'"
Browns Celebrate 21-18 Win Over the Carolina Panthers | Postgame Photos from Huntington Bank Stadium
See the best photos as the Cleveland Browns celebrate their 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Fans celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Fans celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29), Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33), and Safety Grant Delpit (9) celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) and Head Coach Todd Monken celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97), Head Coach Todd Monken, and Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
The team celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken and Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Head Coach Todd Monken celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Todd Monken celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
The defense celebrate after an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2026 at Huntington Bank Field.
