Browns vs Panthers Predictions, Odds & Probable Starters – Is Shedeur Sanders Starting?

• The Panthers are 6.5-point favorites over the Browns in NFL preseason action tonight
• Shedeur Sanders will start for Cleveland, while Carolina will play its starters for a couple series
• Keep reading for my favorite Browns vs Panthers predictions, plus odds and probable starters

Cleveland Browns fans won’t have to wait long to get an extended look at Shedeur Sanders. The fifth-round pick will start and play the bulk of Cleveland’s snaps tonight in their opening preseason game versus the Carolina Panthers. Online sportsbooks aren’t bullish on his chances of success. Carolina is a sizeable favorite in Friday’s NFL odds, and I’m looking to fade Sanders in my Browns vs Panthers prediction.

Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers Odds

The Panthers are currently favored by 6.5-points and -280 on the moneyline. The Browns come back as +230 underdogs, while the total currently sits at 32.5. The NFL preseason Week 1 odds opened with Carolina just a 3.5-point favorite, but betting action has driven that number up a full field goal.

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Browns vs Panthers Probable Starters

The assignment for Sanders got a lot harder earlier this week when Cleveland revealed it would rest its starters. The QB room is decimated by injury with fellow draft pick Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett both hurt. Joe Flacco won’t play either, meaning the only two QB’s expected to play are Sanders and recently-signed Tyler Huntley.

Sanders will be playing behind a backup offensive line, and throwing to inexperienced second and third string receivers. It’s almost like he’s being set up to fail. Deion’s kid took way too many sacks in college, and has reportedly been holding onto the ball a little too long in practice. That spells trouble tonight, as the Panthers will play their offensive and defensive starters, and have a few excellent pass rushers.

Notable Browns vs Panthers Playing Tonight

On the other side of the ball, Myles Garrett and the rest of the Browns defensive starters will sit. First round pick Mason Graham has been playing with the ones in camp, but it’s up in the air if he’ll play tonight.

Bryce Young and the Carolina number one’s meanwhile, are expected to see a few series. Young played significantly better down the stretch last season, and has a shiny new toy to throw to in first round pick Tetairoa McMillan.

The Panthers offense is expected to take a major step forward this season under Dave Canales, and are a sneaky bet to exceed their projection in the NFL win totals. There should be optimism they can score even when Young sits, thanks to the presence of Andy Dalton. The wiley vet will be the next QB up, and he’s had plenty of experience in his career picking apart inexperienced defenses in the preseason.

Browns vs Panthers Predictions

• Panthers to Score 1st TD (-170)
• Browns Under 13.5 Points (-135)

I’m predicting a one-sided affair in this matchup, and a slow start for Sanders. The rookie struggled with sacks in college, and now has to face significantly better competition playing alongside backups and third stringers. Sanders doesn’t have the arm strength to scare NFL defenses, which explains why he’s just a blip on the radar in the NFL OROY odds.

Carolina on the other hand, is a team on the rise. They have stability at the key offensive positions and solid depth behind their starters. I expect them to find success early on, and am willing to eat the -170 odds for them to score the first TD.

Browns vs Panthers Picks

My other favorite Browns vs Panthers prediction is Cleveland under 13.5 points. Sanders is going to struggle moving the football with this cast of skill position players, and I expect him to consistently put his team behind the sticks by taking too many sacks. When he does exit, Huntley won’t have the chemistry with this group to put up points after only a few days in camp.