Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats

The Cleveland Browns dismantled the Carolina Panthers 30-10 in the 2025 NFL preseason opener, with Shedeur Sanders showing enough in his professional debut—14 of 23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns—to suggest Cleveland found a franchise quarterback.

Final Score: Browns 30-10 Panthers ·
Total Yards CLE: 308 ·
Total Yards CAR: 251 ·
Turnovers CLE: 0 ·
Turnovers CAR: 2 ·
1st Downs CLE: 20

Key facts from the game

Did Shedeur Sanders throw a touchdown?

Shedeur Sanders’ NFL preseason debut included two touchdown passes—both going to Kaden Davis, both arriving before halftime. The rookie finished his half of work at 14 of 23 passing for 138 yards, an efficient outing that showed his precision passing ability developed at Colorado. No interceptions in that span either, which matters when measuring his early command of the offense.

Passing Stats for S. Sanders

The box score from the official game recap shows Sanders operated primarily from the pocket, distributing targets across multiple receivers. His two scores came on short-to-intermediate routes, the kind of timing throws coaches want to see from a rookie adjusting to pro-level coverages.

Touchdown Details

Both scoring strikes went to Kaden Davis, per the Cleveland Browns Official box score. The touchdowns came on separate drives, helping the Browns build their 30-10 advantage before the bench players took over in the second half. Sanders did not play after halftime.

The implication: Sanders gave the Browns exactly what they needed from a first-round rookie in his debut—production without self-inflicted wounds.

Who is better, the Browns or the Panthers?

Based on this single game, the gap was substantial. The Browns generated 308 total yards against 251 for the Panthers, converted 6 of 15 third downs compared to Carolina’s 3 of 12, and committed zero turnovers while forcing two from their opponents. Time of possession followed the same script: Cleveland held the ball for 34:28 versus Carolina’s 25:32.

Head-to-Head Team Stats

Three categories tell the story: ground game, turnovers, and first downs. The Browns rushed for 125 yards while the Panthers managed just 40—a 85-yard disparity that reflects both the Browns’ offensive line push and Carolina’s inability to establish any ground attack. Meanwhile, Carolina’s two giveaways gave Cleveland extra possessions in an already lopsided field position battle.

All-Time Series

While this game was a standalone preseason matchup, the Browns’ win adds to a recent trend in their favor. The Panthers have struggled in the offensive trenches all preseason, and unless their run defense tightens, similar results will follow into the regular season.

What were the rushing stats?

Rushing was the most lopsided category on the field. The Browns churned out 125 yards on the ground while the Panthers scraped together just 40—an average of 2.7 yards per carry for Carolina compared to Cleveland’s healthier clip. No single Panthers rusher broke 30 yards.

Top Rushers CLE

• Anthony Marshall: 8 attempts, 32 yards — led all Browns rushers
• Various Browns backs shared carries in a committee approach
• Panthers run defense failed to stack the box effectively

Top Rushers CAR

• Emani Bailey: 3 attempts, 21 yards — Panthers leading rusher
• Chuba Hubbard: 3 attempts, 10 yards
• Limited carries reflect both the scoreboard and offensive line struggles

What this means: Carolina entered this game with questions about their rushing attack, and the preseason opener did nothing to answer them. Until the offensive line establishes a push, the Panthers will remain one-dimensional—and therefore predictable against competent defenses.

What is the full box score?

The official box score from the Cleveland Browns Official site reveals a complete picture of how one-sided this contest became.

Team Totals

Six numbers explain the final score. The Browns piled up 308 total yards while the Panthers managed 251. Cleveland’s 20 first downs dwarfed Carolina’s 13. The Browns ran 66 offensive plays; Carolina ran 53. On third down, the Browns converted at 40%; the Panthers managed just 25%.

Turnovers and 1st Downs

The turnover column shows the clearest divergence. Cleveland committed zero giveaways—a disciplined performance from a team still sorting out its quarterback room. Carolina surrendered two turnovers, including an interception from Andy Dalton, which short-circuited potential scoring drives.

The Browns also dominated in rushing first downs with 11 compared to just 1 for the Panthers, per ESPN matchup data. That metric reflects offensive line push and the ability to sustain drives without relying on big-play passing.

The trade-off: Carolina’s passing game actually outperformed the Browns’ through the air—211 yards versus 183—but the inability to run or protect the ball negated that edge entirely.

Who were the key performers?

Beyond the headline rookie, several players stood out on both sides. The Browns’ backup quarterback situation looks deeper than expected, while Carolina got mixed results from their veteran and young passers alike.

Standout Players CLE

• Shedeur Sanders: 14/23, 138 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT — first-half debut showed promise
• Tyler Huntley: 6/8, 51 yards, 1 TD — efficient relief appearance
• Anthony Marshall: 8 carries, 32 yards — led Browns ground game
• Kaden Davis: 2 TD receptions from Sanders

Standout Players CAR

• Andy Dalton: 13/19, 101 yards, 1 INT — solid but not spectacular
• Bryce Young: 4/6, 58 yards, 1 TD — including a scramble-drill score to Jalen Coker
• Jack Plummer: 6/10, 79 yards — mop-up duty in the second half

The pattern: Cleveland’s quarterback room, even without Deshaun Watson taking snaps, produced consistently across two halves. Carolina cycled through three passers and got positive moments from Young but could not generate the same offensive rhythm. The Panthers’ passing efficiency was real, but the lack of a run game and the turnovers made it irrelevant to the final score.

Rookie Shedeur Sanders’ NFL preseason debut was so impressive even LeBron James took notice.

— Associated Press via CBS Sports

The Browns’ quarterback depth showed in this game—even with Sanders out after the half, Tyler Huntley kept the offense moving. Carolina’s three QBs never found that continuity.

— Analysis from Pro Football Focus (independent film study)

Frequently asked questions