2025 NFL Preseason (08/08/25): Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns, how to watch, key players, and more
The Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns are set to start their preseason matchup, and there's a lot at stake beyond just the win. Rookie Shedeur Sanders has a great chance to show what he can do for Cleveland, while Panthers standout Bryce Young aims to gain some momentum.
With important players taking a break and fresh talent ready to impress, this game is sure to deliver excitement and unexpected moments for
NFL
fans everywhere
How to Watch
Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns
Whether you're a die-hard Browns fan in Cleveland Browns or a Cleveland Panthers lover in Charlotte or simply an NFL fan from anywhere here's how you can tune in to the action:
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV Broadcast: WEWS News 5 (Cleveland market)
Announcers: Chris Rose (play-by-play), Joe Thomas (analyst), and Aditi Kinkhabwala (sideline reporter)
Radio Broadcast: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 89.1 FM La Mega (Spanish broadcast)
Announcers: Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst), and Je'Rod Cherry (sideline reporter)
The game won't be aired on national television, so if you're outside the Cleveland or Charlotte regions, you may need to check local listings or NFL streaming options to find out if it's available.
Winning Odds: Carolina Panthers favored to win by more than six points
FanDuel shows the Cleveland Browns as underdogs with a +6.5 point spread. This indicates that oddsmakers think the Panthers will win by at least 6.5 points, likely because Cleveland is sitting many starters and counting on rookies, while Carolina is set to play their key players for a portion of the game.
Still, preseason odds can be tricky; outcomes frequently rely on backups and untested talent rather than the stars.
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Cleveland Browns: Key Players to Watch
Cleveland Browns revolves around their quarterback issues, with rookie Shedeur Sanders emerging as the key player. Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, is taking the starting role because veterans Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are both sidelined with hamstring injuries, as indicated by the team's injury updates.
Veteran Joe Flacco won't be playing either, which means Sanders and the newly signed backup Tyler Huntley are the only active quarterbacks for the game, indicating that Sanders might get a lot of snaps.
With Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman out, Sanders will be looking at a group of wide receivers that features undrafted free agents Luke Floriea and Gage Larvadain. They've both been turning heads in camp thanks to their speed and reliable hands, and this game is their moment to shine.
Carolina Panthers: Key Players to Watch
Unlike the Browns, the Panthers are taking a different approach. Head coach Dave Canales announced during a Tuesday press conference on August 5, 2025, 'We plan to play our starters in the first two preseason games.'
That means fans will see Bryce Young, the team's franchise quarterback, under center for at least part of the game. Young, who showed improvement late in the 2024 season according to team recaps, aims to build on that progress. Canales expressed confidence in him, telling reporters, 'Bryce has shown a strong command of the offense in camp.'
Joining Young will be rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers' first-round pick in the 2025 draft.
McMillan's size and catch radius make him a potential game-changer, and his chemistry with Young could be on display early.
The Panthers' starters on defense will also get a chance to test themselves against Sanders and Cleveland's young offense, offering a glimpse of how Carolina's first-team units are shaping up.
Also read:
2025 NFL preseason: Game recaps, final scores, and upcoming matches
For the Browns, it's a golden opportunity for Shedeur Sanders to prove he belongs in the NFL. With Pickett and Gabriel injured and Flacco resting, Sanders could play most of the game, giving coaches a long look at his potential.
The joint practice on August 6, held in rainy conditions as noted in camp reports, already gave him valuable reps against Carolina's defense, and now he'll face them in a game setting.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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