The 2025 NFL preseason kicked off with a statement from the Cleveland Browns, who steamrolled the Carolina Panthers 30-10 on August 8 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. For fans and analysts scouring Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers match player stats, this opener wasn’t just about the score—it was a showcase for rookies, depth players, and schematic experiments that could shape both rosters heading into the regular season. With quarterback Shedeur Sanders making his highly anticipated NFL debut, the Browns’ offense hummed to life, while Carolina’s unit sputtered against a revamped Cleveland defense.
This in-depth article dives into every facet of the game: from granular player performances in passing, rushing, and receiving to defensive heroics, special teams flashes, and advanced metrics that reveal the “why” behind the “what.” Drawing on official box scores, snap counts, and post-game analysis, we’ll equip you with the tools to evaluate fantasy impacts, roster battles, and coaching philosophies. Whether you’re a die-hard Dawg Pound member or a neutral stats junkie, let’s unpack the numbers that defined this lopsided affair.
Game Snapshot: How the Browns Built a 20-Point Lead
Cleveland jumped out to a 7-0 first-quarter edge and never looked back, outgaining Carolina 355-261 in total yards while dominating time of possession (34:22 to 25:38). The Browns converted 8 of 14 third downs (57%), a stark contrast to the Panthers’ 4 of 12 (33%). Turnovers were minimal—just one interception for Carolina—but Cleveland’s red-zone efficiency (3 TDs on 4 trips) sealed the deal.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Plays
- Q1: Browns – Shedeur Sanders 7-yard TD pass to Kaden Davis (14:22, 7-0). Panthers – Eddy Piñeiro 28-yard FG (5:41, 7-3).
- Q2: Panthers – Bryce Young 5-yard TD pass to Jalen Coker (10:15, 7-10). Browns – Sanders 12-yard TD pass to Kaden Davis (1:04, 14-10).
- Q3: Browns – Pierre Strong Jr. 4-yard TD run (8:45, 21-10).
- Q4: Browns – John Kelly Jr. 2-yard TD run (6:32, 28-10); Dustin Hopkins 42-yard FG (1:15, 30-10).
The halftime lead was slim, but Cleveland’s reserves poured it on in the second half, holding Carolina to just 67 yards after the break.
Cleveland Browns Offensive Firepower: Stats That Pop
The Browns’ attack was balanced and explosive, averaging 5.8 yards per play. Rookies and backups stole the show, signaling depth that could cushion injuries in the fall.
Passing Breakdown
Sanders’ debut was the headline, but the rotation highlighted Cleveland’s QB depth.
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Longest |
| Shedeur Sanders | 14/23 | 138 | 2 | 0 | 117.2 | 22 |
| Dorian Thompson-Robinson | 5/8 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 93.8 | 18 |
| Tyler Huntley | 3/6 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 70.3 | 12 |
| Team Total | 22/37 | 234 | 2 | 0 | N/A | 22 |
Spotlight on Sanders: The fifth-round pick from Colorado completed 60.9% of his throws, with both TDs coming on play-action bootlegs to Davis. He faced pressure on just 18% of dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats, and his 8.0 yards per attempt underscored quick decision-making. No sacks allowed? That’s a win for an O-line featuring starters like Jedrick Wills Jr. (who played 22 snaps).
Rushing Stats
Ground control was key, with Cleveland’s backs averaging 4.1 yards per carry against a Panthers front that ranked 22nd in preseason run defense last year.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Longest |
| Pierre Strong Jr. | 10 | 52 | 5.2 | 1 | 14 |
| Ahmani Marshall | 8 | 32 | 4.0 | 0 | 9 |
| John Kelly Jr. | 7 | 28 | 4.0 | 1 | 6 |
| Shedeur Sanders | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Team Total | 32 | 125 | 3.9 | 2 | 14 |
Efficiency Notes: Strong’s 4.2 yards after contact per rush highlighted his vision, while Marshall’s early carries set a physical tone. The Browns stuffed rate (negative yards) was a miserly 6%, thanks to interior blocks from Wyatt Teller (18 snaps).
Receiving Leaders
Targets were spread across 10 players, reducing predictability.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TD | Targets | YAC |
| Kaden Davis | 5 | 58 | 11.6 | 2 | 7 | 22 |
| Jamari Thrash | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| David Njoku | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Elijah Moore | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Team Total | 22 | 234 | 10.6 | 2 | 37 | 78 |
Davis emerged as the surprise star, turning short routes into chunk gains with 22 yards after catch. Thrash, a second-year slot man, saw 19% target share—fantasy relevance incoming?
Carolina Panthers’ Struggles: Stats Tell the Tale
Carolina’s offense managed just 4.3 yards per play, plagued by third-down woes and a fumbled punt that gifted Cleveland prime field position. Bryce Young’s preseason tune-up was efficient but limited.
Passing Breakdown
Young looked sharp in spurts, but the supporting cast couldn’t sustain drives.
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Longest |
| Bryce Young | 9/14 | 85 | 1 | 0 | 104.5 | 19 |
| Jack Plummer | 6/10 | 68 | 0 | 1 | 62.1 | 15 |
| Jake Luton | 4/7 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 85.7 | 12 |
| Team Total | 19/31 | 195 | 1 | 1 | N/A | 19 |
Young’s Metrics: 64.3% completion with zero sacks, but his 6.1 yards per attempt reflected conservative scheming under Dave Canales. The INT by Plummer (tipped pass) was the lone giveaway.
Rushing Stats
A pedestrian ground game couldn’t complement the pass.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Longest |
| Mike Boone | 9 | 35 | 3.9 | 0 | 8 |
| Dillon Johnson | 7 | 22 | 3.1 | 0 | 6 |
| Raheem Blackshear | 4 | 9 | 2.3 | 0 | 4 |
| Team Total | 22 | 66 | 3.0 | 0 | 8 |
Boone’s 3.8 yards after contact was respectable, but Carolina’s 41% success rate on first downs (gaining 40% of needed yards) doomed chains.
Receiving Leaders
Short-area reliance limited explosiveness.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TD | Targets | YAC |
| Jalen Coker | 4 | 38 | 9.5 | 1 | 6 | 12 |
| Jordan Matthews | 3 | 32 | 10.7 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Xavier Legette | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Team Total | 19 | 195 | 10.3 | 1 | 31 | 45 |
Coker’s red-zone TD was a bright spot, but Legette’s ejection after a scuffle with Browns CB Rayshawn Jenkins curtailed his night (just 3 targets).
Defensive Showdowns: Cleveland’s D Stifles, Carolina Holds Firm (Sort Of)
Browns Defense
Cleveland’s unit tallied 3 sacks and 7 QB hits, limiting Carolina to 2.9 yards per rush.
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FF |
| Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohamwad Diabate | 6 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Za’Darius Smith | 5 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Team Total | 58 | 3.0 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Panthers Defense
Carolina notched 2 sacks but struggled against the run (5.2 yards allowed per carry).
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FF |
| Shaq Thompson | 8 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaycee Horn | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Derrick Brown | 5 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Team Total | 52 | 2.0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Third-down stops were a weakness (57% allowed), but Horn’s two pass breakups kept it from being a total rout.
Special Teams and Miscellaneous Stats
- Field Goals: Hopkins (CLE) 1/1 (42 yds); Piñeiro (CAR) 1/1 (28 yds).
- Punting: Browns’ Ryan Stonehouse averaged 48.2 yards on 4 punts; Panthers’ Johnny Hekker 45.1 on 5.
- Returns: CLE’s Jaelon Darden (punt) 2-18; CAR’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette (punt) 1-5 (muffed, recovered by CLE).
- Penalties: Browns 6-45; Panthers 8-62 (including Legette’s unsportsmanlike conduct).
- Turnovers: Panthers 1 (INT), Browns 0.
Snap Counts: Rotations Reveal Priorities
Preseason means evaluation, and coaches rested stars while reps went to bubble players.
Browns Snaps (Offense)
| Player | Snaps | % of Total (71) |
| Shedeur Sanders (QB) | 38 | 54% |
| Kaden Davis (WR) | 32 | 45% |
| Pierre Strong Jr. (RB) | 28 | 39% |
| Jedrick Wills Jr. (LT) | 22 | 31% |
Panthers Snaps (Offense)
| Player | Snaps | % of Total (69) |
| Bryce Young (QB) | 28 | 41% |
| Jalen Coker (WR) | 26 | 38% |
| Mike Boone (RB) | 24 | 35% |
| Ikem Ekwonu (LT) | 20 | 29% |
Advanced Analytics: Beyond the Box Score
- EPA (Expected Points Added): Sanders +7.4 (highest in game); Young +2.1.
- Success Rate: Browns offense 52% (plays gaining 0.5 EPA or better); Panthers 41%.
- Win Probability: Cleveland’s lead ballooned from 52% at half to 98% after Strong’s TD.
- DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average): Browns pass D +28.3%; Panthers run O -15.2% (early projections via Football Outsiders).
These metrics highlight Cleveland’s schematic edge under Kevin Stefanski, who leaned on RPOs (run-pass options) for 42% of Sanders’ snaps.
Fantasy and Betting Nuggets
- Fantasy Risers: Kaden Davis (2 TDs, 58 yds) as a WR waiver wire add; Pierre Strong Jr. (RB3 handcuff potential).
- Bettors’ Angle: Browns covered the -2.5 spread; over/under hit the 38.5 total.
- Prop Winners: Sanders over 125.5 pass yds; Young under 100.5.
Injury Report and Roster Ramifications
No major injuries, but notes: Panthers WR Xavier Legette (ejected, fined pending); Browns RB Ahmani Marshall (minor ankle tweak, day-to-day). Depth battles intensify—Sanders’ poise bolsters his QB2 case over Huntley, while Coker’s TD cements WR4 contention in Carolina.
Coach’s Corner and Quotes
Kevin Stefanski (CLE): “Shedeur stepped in like he’d been here for years. The pocket feel, the accuracy—it’s what we drafted him for.
Dave Canales (CAR): “We got outcoached on third downs. Bryce was solid, but we need the run game to pop for him.”
Historical Head-to-Head: A Rare Preseason Clash
This was just the third preseason meeting since 2010, with Cleveland now 2-1 in exhibitions vs. Carolina. Regular-season history favors the Panthers (5-3 all-time), but Stefanski’s Browns are 3-1 lifetime vs. NFC South foes.
Fan Buzz and Social Pulse
Post-game X (formerly Twitter) lit up with Sanders hype: “Shedeur Sanders just cooked in his debut. Browns got a steal in round 5! #NFLPreseason”. Panthers faithful lamented Legette’s exit: “Ejection kills momentum—fix the discipline, Dave!”
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for Both Squads
Browns host the Eagles on Aug. 16, a chance for Sanders to face Vic Fangio’s blitzes. Panthers travel to Houston, where C.J. Stroud awaits. These stats aren’t destiny, but they spotlight trajectories: Cleveland’s depth looks playoff-caliber; Carolina’s fixes (run blocking, third downs) are urgent.
In the end, the Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers match player stats from this August 8 thriller underscore preseason’s true value—spotlighting gems like Sanders amid the experimentation. As Week 2 looms, one thing’s clear: Cleveland’s reserves are ready to contribute.
