Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers

The Cleveland Browns kicked off their 2025 preseason with a strong 30–10 win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Friday, August 8. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders headlined the night, making his much-anticipated NFL debut while veteran starters rested. Carolina coach Dave Canales, on the other hand, opted to give his first-team offense some work, including quarterback Bryce Young, setting up an intriguing early-season test between the teams.

Carolina drew first blood when Young connected with rookie wideout Jalen Coker for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. However, a special teams miscue shifted the momentum—Panthers returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette muffed a punt deep in his own territory, setting up Sanders to find Kaden Davis for a 7-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. That quick strike ignited the Browns offense and settled any early nerves for their rookie signal-caller.

Sanders’ composure continued to stand out in the second quarter. Moving efficiently through his reads, he engineered another scoring drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown to Davis, his second of the night. By halftime, Cleveland Browns held the lead, and Sanders had shown enough command to draw praise from teammates and coaches alike. He would finish 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and 19 yards on the ground before giving way to backup Tyler Huntley.

The second half saw the Browns extend their control, with Huntley adding a late touchdown to seal the game. Tempers flared early in the contest when Carolina Panthers receiver Xavier Legette and Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins were ejected for throwing punches, a moment that underscored the intensity despite the game’s preseason status. Meanwhile, Carolina’s offense sputtered after its opening drive, hampered by penalties and turnovers that stalled any chance of a comeback.

In the end, the Browns left Charlotte with a convincing victory and a promising first look at their rookie quarterback. Sanders’ accuracy, poise, and ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes gave Cleveland fans reason for optimism heading into the regular season. For the Panthers, the flashes from Young and Coker offered encouragement, but the lack of consistency on offense and discipline issues highlighted the work still needed before Week 1.