The Panthers played their first game of the 2019 season against last years Super Bowl runner up LA Rams and lost 30/27. The Panthers made too many mistakes and it was amazing the final score was that close. Cam's arm did not look good. The defense looked worn out at half time.
Sorry to hear, I guess it's the part where every team that lost gets to say "it's just the first game".. not that it's the wrong thing to say.
However, speaking of let-downs.. the Cleveland Browns.
The national sports universe is suddenly in a "I told ya so" contest about the Browns. I guess a few hot-headed predictions is an accurate representation of all Cleveland Browns fans, but I digress. My takes from the game:
1. The Browns came out hot on offense, went right down the field.
2. The Titans weren't hot, and the only thing keeping their drives going was penalties.
3. The Browns almost has 200 yards in penalties. Some obvious and deserved, but boy, there were some tick-tack, questionable calls that really put the screws to the Browns.
4. Mayfield did a good job not trying to do too much throughout the game during frustrating call after frustrating call. Gain 22 yards? Nope, there was a hold. 12 yard run? Nope hold. And not obvious ones either.
5. As soon as I say that, in the 4th quarter, he suddenly tried to do too much, and threw 3 picks.
Football is such a momentum game. I think the Browns lost momentum on a few bad calls and didn't handle it well. Then, it just stockpiled throughout the game. It was frustrating to watch pretty much EVERY call go against the Browns. Sure, one can say "If they didn't commit the foul, it wouldn't get called", but that's just a pointless thing to say. Guys get away with things all the time, in plain sight of officials. It seemed like the refs were very ticky tack when it came to the Browns. I didn't notice non-calls for the Titans, I'll give them credit, they looked like they were ready. The Browns certainly have a lot of areas to improve in.
To me, I felt like the Browns beat themselves.