In a defensive slugfest, the Carolina Panthers lead the Cleveland Browns 10-3 at the half.
Cleveland's bend-but-don't-break defense has been the story thus far for the Browns. The Panthers opened up the game with two separate drives of eight and 14 plays, but walked away with only a field goal. Third-down stops from Chris Kirksey, Billy Winn and Karlos Dansby have fueled the Browns and kept Carolina's 206 total yards from doing any major damage.
Late in the second quarter the Panthers broke the tie by marching 12 plays for 57 yards and took the lead on a Cam Newton 2-yard touchdown. The drive took 6:26 off the clock, the theme so far in Charlotte. The Panthers have 42 total plays; the Browns have 19.
On offense, quarterback Johnny Manziel looked more comfortable in his second NFL start. Late in the first quarter, Manziel found Andrew Hawkins for a 28-yard connection that later set up a Garrett Hartley 43-yard field goal.
Manziel went down with a hamstring injury late in the half and was replaced by Brian Hoyer. His status to return is questionable.
The Browns are having trouble establishing the run. Isaiah Crowell is leading the way with only 16 yards on six carries, while the Panthers have a total of 26 carries for 124 yards.
We'll have much more after the game.
