NFL: Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns matchup analysis

After their embarrassing performance against the Bengals last week, Cleveland will try to rebound against a Panthers team who play way better since 2 or 3 games, and really since their huge win in New Orleans. At 5-8-1, Carolina can really win his division, as they still battle with the Saints and the Falcons for the NFC South crown.
Carolina is still in doubts at the QB position, as we don’t know if Cam Newton could start even after his car crash last week. Backup Derek Anderson was not bad last week against Tampa Bay, but Cam was training all week and he’s listed as probable for sunday. The Panthers should take advantage of his good running game, highlighted by Stewart and Tolbert, who are very good since 1 month. The Browns were torched last week by Jeremy Hill on the ground and their front 7 is pretty bad, especially if LB Dansby cannot go for them, as he has a knee problem. CB Haden left last game for Cleveland, and WR Benjamin should provide of his absence and even if the CB is playing, his shoulder will not let him to be at 100%. But it’s the Panthers D who is coming up lately, and they will have a perfect matchup for them against rookie QB Manziel, who was disastrous last week for his first NFL start. Rookie QB usually really struggle against blitz and that’s the kind of play that the Carolina defense love to call, especially the « Double A Gap Pressure » : that’s when the 2 linebackers show blitz and go to the O line, and that play create a lot of miss match for the tackles and the guards, so looks for huge defensive play by MLB Kuechly or WLB Thomas Davis. The secondary of the Panthers defense is playing way better since Rivera has made some substitutions, as rookie SS Boston and CB Benwikere are now ahead of guys like SS DeCoud on the depth chart.
On the Browns side, well they really struggle right now, as they have not score an offensive TD since the running TD by Manziel at Buffalo 3 weeks ago. The running game is no more effective and WR Gordon is not the same player than last season, as teams always double cover him. QB Manziel looked awful last week, as he has the problem that every young QB has : he’s throwing only what he see, and that’s a problem in the NFL. He needs to release the ball quickly and anticipate his others WR route. If he could do that, his running ability will grow up and he could be more dangerous. On the defensive side, well Pro-Bowler CB Joe Haden is questionable, but the Browns D is good, especially their D backs, and that will be important to contain the Panthers WR.
I see the Carolina Panthers winning this game, as their defense start to really show up. That was that defense who really was the key in their superb season last year, season where they reach the postseason. The Browns are on a bad streak and they have to much problems on the offensive end, so I think they will really have a long afternoon in Charlotte. I think TE Olsen will be the MVP, as he’s playing so well this season and he’s the top guy for QB Newton. The X Factor will be the Browns RB, because if their backfield is running the ball well, that will really help Manziel.

With the collaboration of Alan Guillou