After getting their first win last week, the Browns have a halftime lead in their home opener.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with tight end Harold Fannin for a 2-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, giving Cleveland a 10-3 lead.
The play came on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, capping a seven-play, 40-yard drive that began after a turnover on downs.
In his first game back in Cleveland since injuring his Achilles in 2024, Watson did not get booed as he took the field. He finished the first half 8-of-16 for 60 yards with a TD. He also had six carries for 25 yards.
Defensively, the Browns took their lead largely through defense. The club stopped Carolina on each of its first four third down attempts, and had a pair of fourth-down stops.
When the Panthers elected to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the Cleveland 43, second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham got in the backfield for a sack and a turnover on downs.
Bryce Young came away from the play limping, but stayed in the game after the Fox broadcast showed him trying to walk it off on the sideline.
Andre Szmyt hit his 48-yard field goal attempt midway through the second quarter to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 40-yard line. But Young was pressured and the pass to Tommy Tremble was well short and incomplete for a turnover on downs.
Cleveland was able to fully capitalize on the opportunity with Watson’s touchdown pass to Harold Fannin.
The Panthers got on the board with a 35-yard field goal to effectively end the first half.
Penalties have been a big part of what’s kept the Panthers alive. Cleveland was flagged 10 times for 74 yards in the first half.
But the Browns will receive the second-half kickoff.