Butanmok: Losing to Carolina? I don’t even want to think about it!!! – Terry Pluto’s Browns Scribbles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns open the season Sunday in Carolina:

1. No one seems to know what the Browns will do this season – the same with Carolina. This is one of the few times I checked Las Vegas, because I wondered who the gamblers believed would win. Basically, they have no clue. It’s a “pick ‘em” game.

2. Here’s what I know: If the Browns lose to Carolina, I don’t want to see the emails and Tweets. I don’t want to listen to the talk shows. I don’t even want to think about what I’ll write. None of this has to do with Baker Mayfield. In fact, I hope the former Browns QB plays well Sunday and this season.

3. But there is absolutely no reason ... NONE ... for the Browns to lose this game unless there is some problem in preparation. The Panthers were 5-12 last season. They ended the year by losing 12 of 14 games. They probably are a little better this season. I’ll take Mayfield over Sam Darnold. But really, losing to Carolina? This is exactly the kind of game the Browns are supposed to win with a steady Jacoby Brissett at QB, a strong running game, an impact defense and an upgraded special teams.

4. That said, Mayfield does have some weapons. Christian McCaffrey is healthy and he is as much a weapon as a receiver as he is a running back. The Browns should put someone such as linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (JOK) as a “spy” on him. Follow him everywhere. Try to force the Panthers to use someone else.

5. The Panthers have D.J. Moore, “who would be considered an elite receiver if he played on a better team,” an NFL executive told me. “He can be a problem for the Browns, especially if they get McCaffrey going, too and if Baker is having a good day.”

Can Myles Garrett and Browns defense tree Baker Mayfield? Crowquill — Illustration by Ted Crow for Crowquill. Can the Browns keep Baker Mayfield from getting revenge in the season opener versus the Carolina Panthers?

6. The Panthers have three new offensive linemen, including former Brown Austin Corbett at guard. But it’s still not a strong line. Mayfield is prone to hanging on to the ball too long. The Browns have Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney at defensive ends. Look for rookie Alex Wright to see some snaps rushing the passer. OK, Joe Woods, let’s see what your defense can do.

7. Yes, there are reasons to worry, and I’m not even going to bring up the Browns having won only a single opening game since they returned in 1999. Let’s keep it more current. Coach Kevin Stefanski is 0-2 in openers.

8. Pro Football Focus on Brissett: “Brissett’s career baseline of play is not high — his three seasons of 200 or more drop backs have produced PFF grades of 62.4, 59.2 and 76.3 — but the Browns have an offense better suited than most to protect a limited quarterback and shift the focus elsewhere. This will be the first glimpse at how viable that will be until Watson is back in the fold.”

9. I expect the Browns to not simply run the ball. Look for a lot of play-action passes. If Brissett fakes a handoff to Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt, the defense has to pay attention. Throw the ball to Hunt, to the tight ends. Short passes and slants can serve the same purpose as running the ball.

10. An NFL executive told me that Carolina’s defense “is very aggressive” with coordinator Phil Snow. Look for him to blitz and try to rattle Brissett. If I was told that, the Browns also must know it. That’s why the Browns will probably use play-action passes. Also, some misdirection plays and sweeps because Carolina’s defense has a tendency to want to make big plays. They can be fooled.

11. Yes, we are talking about coaching. The Browns offensive line could be iffy, depending upon the health and play of tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. But they have two Pro Bowl-caliber running backs. They have a three-time Pro Bowl receiver in Amari Cooper. They have an experienced QB in Brissett, who has started 20 games over the last three seasons. His record in that span is 9-11 with 23 TD passes compared to 10 interceptions. Kevin Stefanski has plenty to work with when it comes to game planning for Carolina.

12. My prediction: Browns 20, Carolina 13. Supposed to be lots of rain, could be a sloppy-low scoring game.

HEAR ME TALK: I will be speaking at the Medina Library on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. It’s free. I’ll take questions, sign books and meet with fans.

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