Max Henson
Offensive key: In the Cleveland cold and with quarterback Cam Newton managing shoulder soreness, this is an optimal week to ride running back Christian McCaffrey, who has been rolling as of late. McCaffrey only had 10 carries last week as Carolina was in comeback mode against the Bucs, yet he still managed 106 yards on the ground. The Browns are giving up 136.4 rushing yards per game, so they're vulnerable. And the less reliant Carolina has to be on Newton's arm the better.
Defensive key: Carolina has fallen to the 23rd in the league in third down efficiency, and the last four games haven't been kind to the Panthers on the "money" down. During that span, opposing quarterbacks are 26-of-39 with five touchdown tosses and zero interceptions for a 143.5 passer rating on third down. The Panthers have done well to create third-and-longs, but they have to start taking advantage in those situations. For what it's worth, the Browns offense is 28th in third-down efficiency.
Gutsy guess: Luke Kuechly is back in his native Ohio and the All-Pro will be staring down a rookie quarterback. "They have a guy in the middle who is going to know our plays just as well as we know them," Baker Mayfield told reporters this week. I predict Kuechly nabs his first interception since Week 3 when the Panthers beat the other NFL team from Ohio.
Bryan Strickland
Offensive key: A good run game is a quarterback's best friend, but of course in Carolina's case, the quarterback often is a part of that run game. With concerns about Newton's throwing shoulder ramping up of late, fans will be more attuned than ever to how Newton handles hits, be it inside or outside the pocket. But even if Newton's health wasn't on the radar, keeping him clean against an aggressive Cleveland defense would be crucial. The offensive line must keep Newton out of harm's way to keep Carolina in contention for a must-win.
Defensive key: Taking the quarterback to the ground has been a huge part of this Panthers' defense over the years, but it's been a below-average year in that regard. Meanwhile, the Browns have been above average when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Baker Mayfield hasn't been sacked for three games running, yet he threw three interceptions last time out - the result of pass-rush pressure. I wouldn't go so far as say that pressuring but not sacking an inexperienced quarterback could be a blessing in disguise in the form of takeaway opportunities, but the Panthers want to make Mayfield make decisions in uncomfortable settings.
Gutsy guess: Mayfield hasn't been sacked in three games and Julius Peppers hasn't recorded a sack in two games. I want to say Peppers gets two sacks to move into third place on the NFL's all-time list, but let's say he gets one and saves the second one for the home folks next week.
Bill Voth
Offensive key: Newton cruised through the first two months of the season, throwing only four interceptions. He's tossed seven, including at least one every week, during this four-game skid. The Browns give up a ton of yards through the air, but they also make a lot of plays. Only the Bears (21) and Dolphins (19) have more than Cleveland's 14 picks. So Newton has to take better care of the ball than he has this past month.
Defensive key: In their six wins, the Panthers have 14 takeaways. In their six losses, they have two. That is all.
Gutsy guess: New kicker Chandler Catanzaro has hit two sizable field goals against Cleveland: a 57-yarder last year for the Jets and 59-yarder in October with the Buccaneers. That was the longest overtime field goal in NFL history. Sure, Panthers fans feel down on their luck these days, but that's nothing compared to the Browns' history. So Catanzaro hitting another game-winner with a different team two days after signing with his new team would be very much in line with that history.
Carolina is 4-2 against Cleveland all-time.
Christian McCaffrey breaks free for a run against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (11) runs the ball as he is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Richard Marshall (31) in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. Jon Beason (52) is on the right. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) prepares to throw during the second quarter of the Panthers' 20-12 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. Delhomme passed for 170 yards and one touchdown.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Luke Kuechly makes a tackle against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis (40) jumps high after a 10 yard run in an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) drops back to pass against the Cleveland Browns during first-quarter action in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Julius Peppers signals for a turnover against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Kawann Short trees to chase down Baker Mayfield against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Goodson runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Carolina Panthers safety Sherrod Martin (23) tackles Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore (89) in the end zone, forcing him to drop the ball on a pass play, in the first quarter action in their NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. Martin was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Christian McCaffrey celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, December 21, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey stiff-arms a defender against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) tries to break the tackle of Cleveland Browns' Daven Holly (39) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. Holly pushed Smith out of bounds. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY OCT 15Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) chases Cleveland Browns quarterback Charlie Frye (9) in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. Peppers will bring his defensive teammates to Baltimore for Sunday, Oct. 15's game between the Ravens and the Panthers. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Donte Jackson celebrates a defensive stop against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) is tackled by Cleveland Browns' D'Qwell Jackson (58) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 20-9 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. Foster ran for 106 yards in the game. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cam Newton celebrates a play against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a pas between Cleveland Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown (24) and cornerback Mike Adams (20) during second quarter action in their NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles away from Carolina Panthersdefensive end Charles Johnson (95) during first quarter action in their NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
DJ Moore breaks a tackle against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers' Keyshawn Johnson (19) jumps high to make a catch as Cleveland Browns' Brodney Pool (21) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) celebrates with teammate Chris Gamble (20) as he returns an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter, while Cleveland Browns' Dennis Northcutt (86) trails during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Cam Newton tries to break a tackle against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Thomas Davis sacks Baker Mayfield during a game against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
