Panthers, Mayfield stunned by 58-yard game-winner

The Carolina Panthers kicked off their regular season in NFL Week 1 on a warm 80 degree afternoon at Bank of America Stadium. Plenty of anticipation for the Browns coming in to ruin former QB Baker Mayfield’s debut and both squads got off to a slow start.

Early in the second quarter with the game scoreless, a big pass interference penalty gave Browns Quarterback Jacoby Bridgett an opportunity to hit Kareem Hunt from one yard out capping a 3 play 42 yard scoring drive.

Later on the Browns 5th possession it was Nick Chubb’s strong 25 yard run followed by Hunt’s 24 yard score that put Cleveland up 14-0.

Carolina’s offense came alive on their 6th possession when Christian McCaffrey scored from one yard out on a 6 play 75 yard drive.

Cleveland went into halftime up 17-7. Then in the third quarter Baker Mayfield went to work with a 7 yard TD run that cut the Browns lead to 20-14 with 12:51 left in the game.

Mayfield kept the heat on his old squad late in the 4th quarter when he went up top to Robbie Anderson for a 75 yard touchdown that pulled Carolina within two.

Then it was the Panthers defense coming up with a crucial stop that gave Mayfield another possible shot with just 2:14 to go connecting with DJ Moore for 26 yards.

Carolina marching toward possible field goal range - McCaffrey took off on a 21 yard gain with a penalty on the play that put the ball on the fifteen yard line. Then newly acquired Eddie Pineiro stepped up and kicked what everyone thought would be the game winning 34 yard field goal capping a 7 play 64 yard scoring drive. Panthers ahead 24-23.

But Cleveland never quit. Cade York silenced Carolina fans along with the Panthers sideline with just 13 seconds left. Cade kicked an improbable game winning 58-yard field goal. Browns took the 26-24 win.

The Week 2 matchup for the Carolina Panthers is the New York Giants at Metlife Stadium.