Black and Blue Review
- A sampling of Browns jerseys seen walking from media parking to the stadium: Bernie Kosar, Brian Sipe and Peyton Hillis.
- NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown took an elevator up to the suite level to watch his former team.
- Even though he wasn’t going to play, RB DeAngelo Williams went through his customary pre-game routine. He stopped for about five minutes to chat with his good buddy, former Panthers TE/current Browns TE Gary Barnidge.
- Former Panthers DT/current Browns DL Sione Fua talked for a bit with DE Charles Johnson, DT Dwan Edwards and the rest of the Panthers defensive line.
- QB Cam Newton, who had been expected to start since Thursday morning, came out to warm up in very Christmasy red Beats headphones.
- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wasn’t wrong about Browns QB Johnny Manziel. He’s … not tall.
- Most meaningful Panthers inactive: LB A.J. Klein (ankle). Earlier this week, coach Ron Rivera said Klein’s No. 3 LB spot would be filled by a Ben Jacobs/Adarius Glanton/Kevin Reddick rotation. Glanton was listed as the starter.
- The rest of the Panthers inactives: RB DeAngelo Williams, CB Carrington Byndom, S Robert Lester, DT Kyle Love, OT David Foucault, G Amini Silatolu.
- Most meaningful Browns inactive: CB Joe Haden. The Pro Bowler was on the field very early, but he ultimately decided his sore shoulder wasn’t good enough to go.
- The rest of the Browns inactives: WR Rodney Smith, DB K’Waun Williams, RB Glenn Winston, OL Vinston Painter, OL Andrew McDonald, TE Gary Barnidge.
- When Newton came out in pads, he did his traditional sprint onto the field with his arms outstretched. He then playfully grabbed receivers coach Ricky Proehl and Rivera as he zipped around them.
- Even though the opening drive stalled, it was a good start for Newton’s back. On the first three plays, he rushed for two first downs.
- Graham Gano missed his sixth field goal attempt of the season. He missed three last year.
- The Panthers set a team-record for the third straight week. Against the Saints, they started five rookies. Against the Bucs, they started six. With Glanton filling in for Klein, they started seven against the Browns.
- Nice burst of speed by DT Star Lotulelei, who chased Manziel out of bounds short of a first down on the Browns’ opening drive.
- The Panthers picked up 119 yards and nine first downs in their first two drives and only came away with three points.
- Tough call, but the right one against CB Josh Norman for a helmet-to-helmet hit.
- Rivera is on fire. He’s now 5-for-17 on challenges after winning one for a second straight week.
- Great job by CB Bené Benwikere tracking down WR Taylor Gabriel on a screen pass that could’ve picked up a good chunk of yards.
- After some questionable play-calling in their previous trip to the red zone, calling a bootleg for Newton was a wise choice, and not just in hindsight.
- Where’s the Christmas spirit?!
- When Manziel went to the ground after taking a bit hit from LB Luke Kuechly and DB Colin Jones, fans seemed to cheer louder. Johnson immediately gestured for the crowd to quiet down.
- Was WR DeAndre Presley’s tackle on special teams the best play ever made by a former Appalachian State guy for the Panthers?
- First half stats: Panthers led in first downs (15-2), total yards (206-68), rushing yards (124-26) and time of possession (21:25-8:35).