Carolina Panthers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-7-1)
Sunday, December 9, 1PM ET
The Carolina Panthers are currently stuck in freefall. Unsurprisingly, I’ve picked them to win each of the last three weeks and they’ve lost every game. Well, I’m done picking them for the time being. Then again, that’ll probably mean they’ll beat the Cleveland Browns.
Either way, I think this’ll be an interesting matchup.
As we’re certainly not accustomed to, the Browns have actually been competitive this season. Baker Mayfield has helped them put the pieces together, although other offensive weapons like Jarvis Landry and Nick Chubb have helped. The defense has also been exceptional, at least compared to seasons passed.
When it comes to the Panthers, you simply never know what you’re going to get. One week, they’ll look like a legitimate contender, putting up huge numbers on offense and wreaking havoc on defense. This past weekend, though, they couldn’t tell their heads from their derrieres, turning the ball over time and time again, blowing a perfect opportunity against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I’m expecting more of that in Week 14. The Browns defense will come to play, forcing Cam Newton into more mistakes. When those turnovers are created, Mayfield will translate them into touchdowns, nearly knocking the Panthers out of playoff contention.
Prediction: Browns win 41-27