The Panthers were less than two minutes from escaping Cleveland with a comeback win. Then everything unraveled.
Carolina fell 21-18 to the Browns on Sunday after Cleveland reclaimed the lead with 1:55 remaining. Bryce Young’s final pass was then tipped and intercepted with 17 seconds left.
The loss drops Carolina to 1-2 after last week’s dominant 34-3 victory over Atlanta.
For much of Sunday, Carolina struggled to finish drives. Ryan Fitzgerald accounted for the Panthers’ first 12 points with four field goals.
Young also spent much of the afternoon under pressure. Cleveland sacked him three times and pressured him repeatedly.
Still, Carolina eventually found life in the fourth quarter.
Young connected with John Metchie III for an eight-yard touchdown with 4:29 remaining. The score gave Carolina an 18-13 lead.
The Panthers appeared to stop Cleveland on the following possession with an interception.
However, officials called Bobby Okereke for roughing quarterback Deshaun Watson. The penalty erased the turnover and kept Cleveland’s drive alive.
Watson then found Harold Fannin Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown. Cleveland converted the two-point attempt for a 21-18 advantage.
Young moved Carolina across midfield during the final minute. However, Ronnie Hickman intercepted his deflected pass to end the comeback attempt.
Young finished 26-of-48 for 291 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Carolina actually outgained Cleveland 360-259.
Injuries made the loss even more concerning.
Wide receiver Jalen Coker left with a quad injury and did not return. Cornerback Mike Jackson also exited with a groin injury.
Later, star cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a quad injury on Cleveland’s winning touchdown. He needed assistance leaving the field.
Carolina had already entered the game without several injured starters, including Xavier Legette, Devin Lloyd and Nick Scott.
The Panthers will now return to Charlotte for a major Sunday night matchup against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium.
Cleveland improves to 2-1 and will host Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
