Browns-Panthers scouting report for Sept. 11 season opener

Sep. 10—SCOUTING THE BROWNS — The Browns are opening on the road for the third straight year. ... They are 2-4 in the all-time series with the Panthers. ... Jacoby Brissett is 1-0 as a starter against the Panthers. ... The Browns plan to be a run-first offense in 2022, and no wonder; they had an NFL-best 5.09-yards rushing average per play last season. ... Kareem Hunt is entering what will likely be his final season playing for the Browns.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Panthers coach Matt Ruhle is on a very hot seat after finishing 5-11 and 5-12 his first two years with Carolina. ... Six of the Panthers' 2021 losses were by seven or fewer points. ... Four former Browns play for the Panthers — QB Baker Mayfield, WR Rashard Higgns, OL Cam Erving and OL Austin Corbett. ... Running back Christian McCaffery, healthy today, has played in just 10 of 33 games the past two seasons.

JEFF SCHUDEL's prediction: Browns 20, Panthers 17