Black and Blue Review
GameWeek TIMELINE
15DEC
Panthers Cautious About Newton's Comeback
As the playoff-hopeful Panthers began their week of preparation for the Browns, Cam Newton's status remained unclear. Read more
15DEC
Thankful and Remorseful, Alexander Returns
When defensive end Frank Alexander turns 25 on Wednesday, his biggest present will be getting to practice for the first time this season. Read more
15DEC
Panthers Head Into Week 16 A-Half Game Behind Saints
The easiest-to-understand scenario to take the NFC South is: Panthers go 2-0; Saints go 1-1. Read more
17DEC
Mike Tolbert in the Christmas Spirit
Christmas music blared through the Panthers' locker room Wednesday. The source: A speaker from Mike Tolbert's locker. Read more
17DEC
10 Things to Know About Newton's Status After Wednesday
The Panthers have not yet made a decision on who will start at quarterback Sunday. Read more
17DEC
Norman, Panthers Mostly Mum on Manziel
If any Panthers were willing to share some colorful opinions on Johnny Manziel, it would be Josh Norman. Read more
17DEC
Alexander Returns, Awaits Activation
Frank Alexander has spent plenty of time on the Panthers' practice fields over the last few months, but he always had to leave by the time practice started. Read more
17DEC
Cam Newton (?) Vs. Johnny Manziel
The Panthers won't know until later this week if Cam Newton will be able to play Sunday, but everyone knows the quarterback they'll be facing. Read more
18DEC
Quotes to Note
"If you want to talk a big game and have all this hype behind you, you need to go out and support that and play better.” - Browns QB Johnny Manziel Read more
18DEC
Newton Closer to Returning
A day after he practiced for the first time since his car accident,Cam Newton moved a day closer to starting against the Browns. Read more
19DEC
Carolina's Late-Season Surprise
Mike Remmers has become one of the best stories of the Panthers' season. Read more
19DEC
Friday's Injury Report and Notes
DeAngelo Williams will miss his third straight game with a broken bone in his hand. Read more
19DEC
Newton Still Likely to Start
The only thing keeping Ron Rivera from pegging Cam Newton as his the starting quarterback against the Browns is Saturday morning. Read more
19DEC
Panthers Will Activate Alexander, When Remains Unclear
Frank Alexander could play Sunday. If not, he'll definitely face the Falcons. Read more
19DEC
3 Young Panthers Making a Big Difference
As they make a final postseason push, the Panthers are fortunate to have a few young guys playing very well. Read more
20DEC
Cleaning Out the Week 16 Quotebook
“I like it because he’s a scrambler. I like going and chasing.” - Kony Ealy on Johnny Manziel Read moreINJURY REPORTS
FRIDAY
PANTHERS:
Questionable: LB A.J. Klein (ankle), G Amini Silatolu (knee), RB DeAngelo Williams (hand), CB Carrington Byndom (hamstring)
Probable: QB Cam Newton (back), LB Thomas Davis (knee), S Roman Harper (thigh)
BROWNS:
Out: S Tashaun Gipson (knee), CB K’Waun Williams (hamstring)
Questionable: CB Joe Haden (shoulder), TE Gary Barnidge (rib), LB Karlos Dansby (knee), CB Robert Nelson (hamstring), LB Jabaal Sheard (foot), WR Marlon Moore (knee)
Probable: WR Andrew Hawkins (illness)
WHAT CLEVELAND IS SAYING
SATURDAY
- Browns depending on Manziel to rebound from pathetic performance — Akron Beacon Journal
- Cornerback issues in Carolina? — ESPN.com
- Avoiding a season-ending losing streak or checking out for the year? — ESPN Cleveland
- What happened to the Browns’ potent running attack and how they go about regaining it — cleveland.com
FRIDAY
- Updating Browns’ injuries, lineup news after final Carolina practice — ClevelandBrowns.com
- Defense bracing for dual-threat quarterback Newton — Akron Beacon Journal
- Browns next offensive challenge: Luke Kuechly — ESPN.com
- Piling on has made Manziel a sympathetic figure — ESPN Cleveland
- Manziel will likely oppose Newton, the dual-threat master, and might even learn a thing or two — cleveland.com
- Everything head coach Mike Pettine said at his press conference on Friday — cleveland.com
THURSDAY
- Browns’ public plan clear: Build Manziel’s confidence, run the ball better — ESPN.com
- Individual accolades can’t satisfy Joe Thomas’ hunger for Browns to make playoffs — Akron Beacon Journal
- Kyle Shanahan confident Manziel, offense can rebound — ClevelandBrowns.com
- Everything head coach Mike Pettine said at his press conference on Thursday — cleveland.com
WEDNESDAY
- Manziel believes support of teammates will help him rebound — Akron Beacon Journal
- Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden sits out with injured shoulder — Akron Beacon Journal
- Manziel: Undone by second-guessing — ESPN.com
- Browns need to take apart their QB shredder — ESPN.com
- Rivera: Won’t apologize for division — ESPN.com
- Browns must channel get-no-respect attitude — ESPN.com
- Everything Browns head coach Mike Pettine said at his press conference on Wednesday — cleveland.com
- Browns offense faces a different challenge vs. Luke Kuechly-led Panthers — ClevelandBrowns.com
- Locker Room Report: 11 Browns nuggets from Wednesday — ClevelandBrowns.com
TUESDAY
- For Browns head coach Mike Pettine, a tough job just got tougher — Plain Dealer
- Bernie Kosar’s criticism of Browns is mostly on target with a few misses — Plain Dealer
- Browns confuse with talk of Johnny Manziel’s ‘sample’ size — ESPN.com
- Keys to the game for Browns at Panthers — Akron Beacon Journal
- Browns seeking running-game redemption over final 2 games — ClevelandBrowns.com
PANTHERS POLLS
NUMBERS AND NOTES
NFL RANKINGS
| OFFENSE | PANTHERS | BROWNS |
|---|---|---|
| Total yds per game | 345.3 (16th) | 336.1 (20th) |
| Rushing yds per game | 116.4 (12th) | 109.6 (18th) |
| Passing yds per game | 228.9 (17th) | 226.5 (18th) |
| Sacks Allowed | 40 (24th) | 24 (T8th) |
| Points per game | 20.6 (21st) | 19.7 (25th) |
| DEFENSE | PANTHERS | BROWNS |
|---|---|---|
| Total yds per game | 351.5 (16th) | 359.6 (21st) |
| Rushing yds per game | 117.5 (21st) | 137.6 (31st) |
| Passing yds per game | 234.0 (12th) | 221.9 (7th) |
| Sacks | 31 (22nd) | 29 (25th) |
| Points per game | 25.6 (23rd) | 21.4 (14th) |
Browns (7-7) at Panthers (5-8-1)
TV: CBS, Sunday (1:00 p.m. ET); Play-by-Play: Tom McCarthy Analyst: Adam Archuleta
SERIES HISTORY:
- Panthers lead series, 3-1. The Browns won the last meeting in 2010 when former Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme led Cleveland to a 24-23 win. Former Panthers kicker John Kasay missed what would have been a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired. This also happened.
NOTABLE CONNECTIONS:
- Panthers QB Derek Anderson played with the Browns from 2005-09.
- Panthers RB Fozzy Whittaker played 11 games with the Browns in 2013.
- Panthers QBs coach Ken Dorsey played for the Browns from 2006-08.
- Browns TE Gary Barnidge played with the Panthers from 2008-12.
- Browns DL Sione Fua played with the Panthers from 2011-13.
- Browns P Spencer Lanning is from Rock Hill, S.C.
THE PANTHERS:
- Are 0-2-1 against the AFC North this season.
- Could have just their second pair of 1,000-yard receivers this season. WR Kelvin Benjamin (952) and TE Greg Olsen (960) would join Muhsin Muhammad (1,253) and Patrick Jeffers (1,082), who did it in 1999.
THE BROWNS:
- Lead the NFL with 20 interceptions.
- Lead the NFL in opposing quarterback passer rating (71.7).
- Have beaten two teams with winning records this year. The combined records of the seven opponents the Browns have beaten is 35-59.
- Need one more win to have their third-most wins (8) since 1995.
PANTHERS:
- WR Kelvin Benjamin needs one more touchdown to become just the fifth rookie in the last 30 years to score 10 touchdowns.
- TE Greg Olsen has already broken team TE records with 81 receptions and 960 yards.
- LB Luke Kuechly leads the NFL with 138 tackles.
BROWNS:
- RB Isaiah Crowell needs one rushing touchdown to tie Jim Brown (nine in 1957) for the second-most rushing touchdowns by a Browns rookie.
- WR Josh Gordon has 107 receptions for 1,904 yards and nine touchdowns in his last 18 games. 13 of his 14 career touchdowns have come from 20+ yards.
- LT Joe Thomas has started all 126 career games, playing a league-best 7,810 consecutive snaps.
- LB Paul Kruger has a career-high 10 sacks this year.