1. It didn't take long for the Browns to answer Carolina's opening scoring drive. Baker Mayfield found Breshad Perriman for a 66-yard completion on the Browns' first play from scrimmage, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by Jarvis Landry three plays later. Landry's touchdown run came on a nifty play call by offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. Mayfield faked a hand-off to the in-motion Perriman before handing to Landry on the jet sweep. Landry ran into the end zone untouched.
2. The Browns put their defense in a precarious position with 1:39 remaining in the first quarter. After catching a pass from Mayfield, Rashard Higgins fumbled at the Browns' 16-yard line, and Thomas Davis recovered for the Panthers. Luke Keuchly forced the fumble just before Higgins' knee hit the ground. Five plays later, Christian McCaffrey capitalized on Higgins' mistake with a 1-yard touchdown run (just barely, though.) Replays showed that the Browns defense came very close to preventing McCaffrey from breaking the plane on 2nd-and-goal.
3. The Browns answered again when Mayfield rolled to his left, reset his feet and unleashed his best throw of the season between two defenders and into Landry's hands for a 51-yard touchdown. Oh, and the throw came on 3rd-and-17 after the Browns had penalized themselves into a deep hole.
The Cleveland Browns play the Carolina Panthers at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry rushes for a three-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls out a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and teammates enter the field before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson has a quiet moment before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton avoids a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore, right, reaches but can't catch the pass under pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jarius Wright (13) avoids a tackle by Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry celebrates after scoring a 51-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield gives instruction to players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) knock the ball loose from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) after rushing during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates after throwing a 51-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (80) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes for a 4-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
4. After a monotonous third quarter, the Browns returned to the end zone with 13:08 remaining in fourth. Nick Chubb scored from 4 yards out after Landry set the Browns up with a 51-yard run on the previous play. Landry's run came on the same play design that set him up to score earlier in the game — Mayfield faked a jet sweep, added a fake pitch as well this time and then handed off to Landry, who made some nifty moves on his long run. Chubb's touchdown gave the Browns their first lead of the day, but Greg Joseph missed the extra point. He made it initially, but the Panthers were called for a dead-ball offsides penalty. Joseph was forced to kick again, and he missed off the left upright.
5. With 2:29 remaining, the Browns defense made its biggest stop of the game at its own 2-yard line. Cam Newton dropped back to pass on 4th-and-goal, threw for Jarius Wright, who appeared to be open, but the pass was too high and fell incomplete. The Panthers came away with nothing despite earning a first-and-goal at the Cleveland 9-yard line.
6. Damarious Randall intercepted Newton with 55 seconds remaining to seal a Browns win. Newton was looking for Funchess on a deep route but threw too deep and behind him. Randall ran toward the opposite end zone and threw the ball into the stands for good measure.
