“Winning is the best deodorant.” — John Madden
Welcome back, Browns fans! The 1-1 Cleveland Browns return to Huntington Bank Field this Sunday to host the 1-1 Carolina Panthers.
Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM CST. The Chicagoland Browns Backers/Northside Dawg Pound will meet up at Burke’s Public House (5401 N. Broadway) to cheer on Cleveland’s push for its first home win of the season.
What a Difference a Week Makes
After a dismal Week 1, Deshaun Watson and head coach Todd Monken redeemed themselves with a 23-19 road victory over Tampa Bay. Watson turned in one of his most efficient passing games since joining the team in 2022.
He put up 238 passing yards, 2 TDs, an 80% completion rate, and a 121.9 QB rating—all ranking as his third-highest marks as a Brown. Through two games, Watson ranks 2nd in completion percentage (76.9%) and 8th in passer rating (112.9) across the NFL.
Coach Monken deserves major credit for adjusting the offensive scheme to fit Watson’s strengths:
- Shorter throws: Watson’s average depth of target dropped from 9.5 yards in Week 1 down to 3.8 yards in Week 2 (second-lowest in the NFL).
- Fewer deep shots: Only 17% of his passes against Tampa Bay traveled 10+ yards, compared to 32% in Week 1.
- Quick screens: The offense dialed up 6 screen passes in Week 2, up from just 2 in the opener.
The real challenge this Sunday will be keeping that short-passing rhythm against a Carolina defense that brings the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL and leads the league in takeaways.
The Kids Are All Right
Cleveland’s 2026 rookie class is making an immediate splash, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
- WR Denzel Boston: Leads all NFL rookie receivers with 154 receiving yards and 2 TDs. His 22.0 yards per catch ranks 3rd among rookies and 6th overall in the NFL.
- WR KC Concepcion: Boasts PFF’s top “good hands” grade among rookie wideouts. He and Boston have combined for 21 catches with 0 drops.
- OG Austin Barber: Earned PFF’s highest pass-blocking grade among rookie linemen, surrendering just 1 QB pressure and 0 sacks in two starts.
Carolina’s Offense Is Smoking
The Panthers are off to their best offensive start since their 2015 Super Bowl run. Their league-leading 312.5 passing yards per game will heavily test Cleveland’s defense, which hasn’t allowed a 300-yard passer in 47 straight games (dating back to October 2022).
Carolina ranks near the top in several major categories:
- 35.5 points per game (2nd in NFL)
- 409.0 total yards per game (4th in NFL)
- 8.8 yards per pass attempt (4th in NFL)
Bryce Young is playing the best football of his four-year career, leading the NFL with 6 touchdown passes while averaging 324.0 passing yards per game. He loves pushing the ball downfield, already recording 8 completions of 20+ yards. However, when opposing defenses generate pressure, his completion percentage plummets to under 38%.
Young’s top target is Jalen Coker, who has reeled in 16 of 18 targets for 204 yards and 2 TDs while also leading the NFL in punt return average (24.5 yards). Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan adds extra juice with 17.6 yards per catch, tight end Darren Waller remains a red-zone threat (2 TDs on 5 catches), and running back Chuba Hubbard leads their 11th-ranked ground game with 4.6 yards per carry.
The Return of Nick Chubb
Fan-favorite running back Nick Chubb returned to Cleveland this week to sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Brown.
During his retirement ceremony, Chubb shared his love for the city: “I love Cleveland, it’s a second home to me… ever since I stepped foot into the city, I’ve felt nothing but love.”
Chubb leaves behind an iconic franchise legacy:
- 30 hundred-yard games (2nd in team history behind Jim Brown)
- 6,848 rushing yards and 51 rushing TDs as a Brown (3rd in team history)
- 7,349 rushing yards, 59 rushing TDs, and 1,109 receiving yards over 100 career NFL games
A true legend on and off the field.
Go Browns… and Go Guardians!
[From the Editor: Thank you for reading and joining us again for this 2026 season – we hope to see you at Burke’s Irish Pub at 5401 N Broadway, Chicago IL for the games! Don’t forget to check out our Merch and our Socials. All Merch proceeds goes to charity!]