The Week 1 inter-conference showdown between the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers did not appear to be a must-watch affair when the NFL’s 2022 season schedule was released. However, the groundbreaking trade between Cleveland and Carolina this offseason should provide plenty of drama and is now one of the season’s best grudge matches that must be witnessed.

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with the latest news, NFL odds, and special features for the entire duration of the 2022 NFL season. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming Week 1 clash between the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers.

Browns vs. Panthers Game Information

Ahhhh the smell of football ???? pic.twitter.com/y30kPVSBde

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 5, 2022

• When: Sunday, September 11, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
• TV: CBS
• Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland (Browns) // WRFX 99.7 The FOX (Panthers)
• Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Browns (+2.5) // Panthers (-2.5)

READ MORE: Saints vs. Falcons 2022 NFL Week 1 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the Cleveland Browns?

It’s been quite the tumultuous 2021 offseason for the Cleveland Browns, who sold the farm for generational quarterback Deshaun Watson only to find out later on that offseason that Watson will have to serve an 11-game ban due to his off-field legal battles. In turn, Cleveland will have to bear with veteran backup QB Jacoby Brissett in the first half of their 2022 campaign.

As mediocre as Brissett has been during his time as the fill-in starter for the Colts and the Patriots, the Browns can thank stud running back Nick Chubb for their offense’s chances to succeed. Chubb finished second in the league last season with 1,259 rushing yards; albeit with just eight rushing touchdowns. Considering the lack of firepower in the passing game, Chubb is expected to burst out the gates as his team’s top offensive threat from the get-go.

Cleveland’s defense is quite respectable as well, ranking fifth in yards allowed to opponents in 2021 (311.5 YAPG). Star defensive end Myles Garrett, a strong contender for the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, is coming off a record-setting season with a career-highs of 16 sacks and three interceptions.

Why Bet on the Carolina Panthers?

One might be wondering why the five-win Carolina Panthers are favored to win their Week 1 matchup against the eight-win Browns based on their respective performances from the previous season. The answer to that lies in Carolina’s new starting QB in Cleveland’s former first-overall selection, Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield was traded to the Panthers in the wake of the Watson deal, as the former was disgruntled by the Browns organization in making such a move. Mayfield beat out fellow 2018 NFL Draft alumnus Sam Darnold for the starting QB job this offseason and is ready to exact his revenge on the team that kicked him to the curb. The former Heisman Trophy winner has thrown for at least 3,000 yards and had a competition percentage of 60 percent or better in each of his last two seasons in Cleveland.

Another positive sign that the Panthers will rebound in 2022 is the return of running back Christian McCaffrey. Injuries derailed his last two seasons, playing just a total of 10 games over that span. In 2019, McCaffrey was a beast as he finished that season with over 1,000 yards both in rushing and receiving whilst also scoring 19 offensive TDs.

Browns vs. Panthers Betting Trends

• The Browns went 2-6 on the road last season (4-4 ATS).
• The Browns are 7-2 against NFC teams since 2020 (SU/ATS).
• The totals went under in each of Cleveland’s last three road games.
• The Panthers went 2-6 at home last season (SU/ATS), with all six of those home losses coming in succession to close out their 2021 campaign.
• The Panthers are 3-9 against teams from the AFC over the last two seasons (4-8 ATS).
• The totals went over in three of the last five games played in Charlotte.

Browns vs. Panthers Expert Betting Predictions

It’ll be fun to cheer for Mayfield in his revenge game against his former team. However, the Panthers don’t have a lot of key pieces on both sides of the ball outside of him and McCaffrey. That being said, Cleveland’s defense should be able to contain Carolina’s new-look offense and also get a huge game from Chubb for a rare Week 1 victory for the Browns.

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.