Cleveland browns vs Carolina panthers match player stats

The cleveland browns vs carolina panthers match player stats from the August 9, 2025 NFL preseason matchup tell a much clearer story than the final score alone. Cleveland defeated Carolina 30-10, producing a balanced performance through the air and on the ground while also creating pressure and a turnover on defense. Carolina moved the ball at times, especially through its passing game, but struggled to turn those opportunities into points. For readers studying individual performances, quarterback efficiency, rushing production, receiving numbers, defensive activity, special teams, and the differences between raw yardage and actual scoring output, this game provides useful preseason context.

Table of Contents

Game Overview and Final Score

The Cleveland Browns entered the matchup looking to evaluate players across several position groups, while the Carolina Panthers were also using the preseason game to assess their roster depth and individual performances.

The final result was:

Team	Score
Cleveland Browns	30
Carolina Panthers	10

Cleveland finished the game with a 1-0 preseason record, including a 1-0 away record. Carolina opened its preseason campaign at 0-1, with the defeat coming at home.

The scoreline was significant because Cleveland did not rely on one statistical category alone. The Browns combined efficient passing, productive rushing, red-zone execution, defensive pressure, and strong punt-return production.

Carolina actually gained more receiving yards than Cleveland, but that advantage did not translate into comparable scoring production. That difference is one of the most useful lessons from examining the complete cleveland browns vs carolina panthers match player stats rather than looking only at total yardage.

Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats

The core numbers provide the foundation for understanding how the game developed.

Category	Cleveland Browns	Carolina Panthers
Final Score	30	10
Passing	20/31, 183 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT	23/35, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	32 carries, 125 yards, 3.9 avg, 1 TD	14 carries, 40 yards, 2.9 avg, 0 TD
Receiving	20 receptions, 189 yards, 9.5 avg, 3 TD	23 receptions, 238 yards, 10.3 avg, 1 TD
Team Tackles	63	68
Sacks	4	3
Tackles for Loss	7	6
Pass Deflections	5	3
QB Hits	7	5
Interceptions	1	0
Kick Returns	3 for 53 yards	5 for 81 yards
Punt Returns	5 for 63 yards	5 for 17 yards

One of the clearest differences was Cleveland’s rushing attack. The Browns ran the ball 32 times for 125 yards, while Carolina managed only 40 rushing yards on 14 attempts.

That gave Cleveland a much more reliable balance between passing and rushing.

Cleveland Passing Performance

Cleveland completed 20 of 31 passes for 183 yards. The Browns also produced three passing touchdowns without throwing an interception.

That combination is important in preseason analysis because efficiency matters more than volume when multiple quarterbacks and offensive combinations are being evaluated.

Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders was Cleveland’s leading passer in the game.

His numbers were:

14 completions
23 attempts
138 passing yards
2 touchdowns
0 interceptions

Sanders completed approximately 60.9 percent of his attempts.

His performance was particularly notable because he produced two touchdowns without giving the Panthers an interception opportunity. His 138 passing yards also accounted for the majority of Cleveland’s total passing production.

For a preseason quarterback evaluation, the combination of completion percentage, touchdown production, and turnover avoidance is more informative than simply counting passing yards.

Tyler Huntley

Tyler Huntley also contributed efficiently:

6 completions
8 attempts
51 yards
1 touchdown
0 interceptions

Huntley completed 75 percent of his attempts and added another touchdown to Cleveland’s passing total.

His smaller sample size should be considered when comparing his numbers directly with Sanders. However, the efficiency was strong, and he helped maintain Cleveland’s offensive scoring output.

Carolina Passing Performance

Carolina completed 23 of 35 passes for 211 yards, which was more passing yardage than Cleveland produced.

However, the Panthers finished with only one passing touchdown and one interception.

That contrast demonstrates why passing yards alone cannot explain the result.

Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton completed:

13 of 19 passes
101 yards
0 touchdowns
1 interception

Dalton completed approximately 68.4 percent of his attempts.

His completion rate was respectable, but the interception hurt Carolina’s offensive efficiency. In a game where the Panthers were already struggling to generate rushing production, losing a possession through an interception made it harder to sustain scoring drives.

Jack Plummer

Jack Plummer finished with:

6 completions
10 attempts
79 yards
0 touchdowns
0 interceptions

He provided Carolina with additional passing production, although he did not contribute a passing touchdown.

Bryce Young

Bryce Young completed:

4 of 6 attempts
58 yards
1 touchdown
0 interceptions

Young’s six attempts represented a smaller sample than Dalton’s workload, but he converted those opportunities efficiently and produced Carolina’s only passing touchdown.

Passing Comparison

The passing comparison is one of the most interesting parts of the game.

Cleveland:

183 passing yards
3 passing touchdowns
0 interceptions
20 completions

Carolina:

211 passing yards
1 passing touchdown
1 interception
23 completions

Carolina gained 28 more passing yards than Cleveland, yet the Browns scored two more passing touchdowns.

This is a useful reminder that efficiency and finishing drives can matter more than raw yardage.

Cleveland averaged approximately 9.2 passing yards per completion, while Carolina averaged approximately 9.2 as well. The difference was therefore not simply about how far each completion traveled. Cleveland’s advantage came largely from converting possessions into touchdowns while avoiding turnovers.

Cleveland Rushing Attack

Cleveland’s rushing production was one of the strongest statistical differences in the game.

The Browns recorded:

32 rushing attempts
125 rushing yards
3.9 yards per carry
1 rushing touchdown

Carolina had only 14 attempts for 40 yards.

The Browns therefore ran the ball 18 more times and gained 85 more rushing yards.

That level of rushing volume helped Cleveland maintain offensive balance. Even with multiple players rotating through the lineup, the Browns consistently used the ground game as part of their offensive approach.

Ahmani Marshall

Ahmani Marshall led Cleveland in rushing:

8 carries
32 yards
4.0 yards per carry

His production was steady rather than explosive. Eight carries also gave him a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate how effectively he could handle a repeated workload.

In preseason games, these types of opportunities are important because coaches are not evaluating only highlight plays. They are also looking at consistency, decision-making, ball security, blocking assignments, and whether a player can produce within the offensive structure.

Carolina Rushing Performance

Carolina’s rushing attack struggled to establish the same level of production.

The Panthers finished with:

14 carries
40 yards
2.9 yards per carry
0 rushing touchdowns

That 2.9 average was exactly 1.0 yard per carry lower than Cleveland’s 3.9 average.

Emani Bailey

Emani Bailey was Carolina’s leading rusher:

3 carries
21 yards
7.0 yards per carry

Bailey’s average was excellent on his limited workload.

However, three carries are not enough to compensate for a team rushing total of only 40 yards. The Panthers needed greater production across the rushing group to create consistent balance.

This is an important distinction when interpreting player stats. A player can have an impressive individual average while the team’s overall rushing performance remains weak.

Receiving Production

Cleveland recorded 20 receptions for 189 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Carolina recorded 23 receptions for 238 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Again, Carolina produced more yardage, but Cleveland generated substantially more scoring value from its receptions.

Sal Cannella

Sal Cannella led Cleveland’s receiving group in receptions:

3 receptions
32 yards

That works out to an average of approximately 10.7 yards per reception.

His contribution was not necessarily about dominating the box score. Instead, his production formed part of a broader Cleveland receiving effort that resulted in three touchdowns.

Tetairoa McMillan

Tetairoa McMillan led Carolina in receiving yardage:

2 receptions
43 yards

His average was 21.5 yards per reception.

That figure shows that Carolina had the ability to generate explosive receiving plays. The problem was converting enough of those opportunities into points.

McMillan’s production is therefore a good example of why a player’s yards per reception can provide useful context even when the team’s final result is unfavorable.

Why Cleveland Won Despite Fewer Passing Yards

At first glance, the 30-10 score may appear surprising because Carolina produced more passing yards and more total receiving yards.

The explanation becomes clearer when several categories are considered together.

1. Cleveland dominated rushing volume

The Browns had 32 rushing attempts compared with 14 for Carolina.

2. Cleveland scored three passing touchdowns

The Browns turned their passing production into touchdowns much more efficiently.

3. Cleveland avoided interceptions

Cleveland quarterbacks combined for zero interceptions.

Carolina threw one interception.

4. Cleveland generated defensive pressure

The Browns recorded four sacks and seven quarterback hits.

5. Cleveland returned punts effectively

The Browns generated 63 punt-return yards, compared with only 17 for Carolina.

These factors combined to create a game in which Cleveland repeatedly gained practical advantages even though Carolina accumulated more passing yardage.

Defensive Player Stats

Defense played an important role in the final result.

Cleveland recorded:

63 total tackles
35 solo tackles
4 sacks
7 tackles for loss
5 pass deflections
7 quarterback hits
1 interception

Carolina recorded:

68 total tackles
46 solo tackles
3 sacks
6 tackles for loss
3 pass deflections
5 quarterback hits
0 interceptions

Carolina actually recorded more total tackles and more solo tackles. That does not necessarily mean its defense performed better.

Tackle totals can increase when an opponent completes more plays or when defenders are repeatedly required to finish plays downfield. Cleveland’s stronger scoring efficiency and greater disruption provide more useful indicators of defensive impact in this matchup.

Cleveland Defensive Leader: Adin Huntington

Adin Huntington led Cleveland’s defense with:

6 total tackles
5 solo tackles
1 sack
1 tackle for loss

The combination of tackles and a sack made his performance particularly notable.

A sack is valuable because it can eliminate offensive yardage, disrupt the timing of a play, and create longer down-and-distance situations.

Cleveland’s Interception: Nik Needham

Nik Needham recorded Cleveland’s only interception.

That turnover was one of the clearest individual defensive events in the game.

Interceptions can change possession without requiring an offense to drive the entire length of the field. They also give the defense an opportunity to directly alter the game’s momentum.

Cleveland’s ability to produce an interception while allowing no interceptions on offense created an important turnover advantage.

Carolina Defensive Leader: Thomas Incoom

Thomas Incoom led Carolina with:

5 tackles
5 solo tackles
1 sack

His five solo tackles indicate that he was consistently involved in finishing plays.

He also contributed one of Carolina’s three sacks, showing that the Panthers’ pass rush did create some disruption.

However, three sacks were not enough to prevent Cleveland from producing 30 points.

Turnovers and Ball Security

Turnovers are one of the most important areas to examine when interpreting a preseason result.

Cleveland had:

0 interceptions thrown
1 defensive interception
1 recorded fumble by Luke Floriea
2 team fumble recoveries

Carolina had:

1 interception thrown
1 fumble by Trevor Etienne
1 lost fumble

Trevor Etienne’s lost fumble was particularly costly because it gave Cleveland an additional possession.

The turnover picture therefore favored Cleveland.

The Browns protected the football more effectively through the passing game and created two forms of defensive possession-changing opportunities through an interception and a recovered fumble.

Special Teams Performance

Special teams can easily be overlooked when reviewing player stats, but this game provides several useful examples of how field position can influence an outcome.

Cleveland Kick Returns

Cleveland recorded:

3 kick returns
53 yards
17.7-yard average

Carolina Kick Returns

Carolina recorded:

5 kick returns
81 yards
16.2-yard average

Carolina had more total kick-return yards because it had more returns, but Cleveland averaged more per return.

Punt Returns

The difference was much clearer on punt returns.

Cleveland:

5 returns
63 yards
12.6-yard average

Carolina:

5 returns
17 yards
3.4-yard average

Cleveland therefore averaged 9.2 more yards per punt return.

That is a substantial field-position advantage over multiple possessions.

Kicking Stats

Dustin Hopkins handled Cleveland’s kicking duties and recorded:

1 of 1 field goals
23-yard long
3 of 4 extra points
6 points

For Carolina, Ryan Fitzgerald went:

1 of 1 field goals
32-yard long
0 of 0 extra points

Matthew Wright added:

0 of 0 field goals
1 of 1 extra points

The Carolina kickers combined for four points.

Cleveland’s kicking output contributed six points to the final total.

Punting Comparison

Corey Bojorquez punted five times for Cleveland:

255 total yards
51.0-yard average
62-yard long

Sam Martin punted seven times for Carolina:

355 total yards
50.7-yard average
59-yard long

The averages were nearly identical.

However, Carolina needed seven punts compared with five from Cleveland, which reflects a greater number of possessions ending without sustained offensive success.

What the Player Stats Reveal About Cleveland

The most useful takeaway from Cleveland’s numbers is balance.

The Browns did not dominate every statistical category. Instead, they performed well in the areas most directly connected to scoring and possession control.

Their key advantages included:

125 rushing yards compared with Carolina’s 40
Three passing touchdowns compared with Carolina’s one
Zero interceptions thrown
Four sacks
Seven quarterback hits
One defensive interception
63 punt-return yards
One rushing touchdown

That combination created a strong overall team performance.

What the Player Stats Reveal About Carolina

Carolina’s numbers are more complicated.

The Panthers produced:

211 passing yards
238 receiving yards
23 receptions
68 total tackles
46 solo tackles
81 kick-return yards

Those are not empty statistics. Carolina showed an ability to move the ball through the air and record defensive tackles.

The major issue was conversion.

The Panthers produced only 10 points despite their passing and receiving totals. They also struggled to run the ball, failed to create an interception, lost a fumble, and produced only one passing touchdown.

The result shows that accumulating yardage does not automatically produce points.

Preseason Context Matters

One of the biggest mistakes in evaluating an NFL preseason game is treating it exactly like a regular-season matchup.

Preseason games are primarily opportunities for evaluation.

Coaches can use them to examine:

Backup quarterbacks
Running back depth
Receiver rotations
Offensive line combinations
Defensive line depth
Young defensive backs
Special teams players
Roster competition
Individual consistency

That means a player who receives limited opportunities may still be under serious evaluation.

Likewise, a player who records impressive statistics in a small sample should not automatically be projected to dominate a regular-season workload.

The correct approach is to use the box score as evidence rather than treating it as the entire evaluation.

How to Analyze NFL Player Stats Correctly

When reviewing a game like this, it is useful to follow a structured process.

Start with the final score

The score tells you who converted opportunities more effectively.

Check passing efficiency

Look beyond passing yards.

Consider:

Completion percentage
Touchdowns
Interceptions
Yards per completion
Number of attempts

Examine rushing balance

A strong rushing attack can reduce pressure on quarterbacks and help sustain possessions.

Compare turnovers

Turnovers can explain major differences between teams with similar yardage totals.

Review defensive disruption

Sacks, quarterback hits, tackles for loss, interceptions, and pass deflections often provide more context than raw tackle totals.

Examine special teams

Punt-return production can influence field position repeatedly throughout a game.

Consider player workload

Eight carries and 32 rushing yards mean something different from 20 carries and 100 yards.

This final point is especially important when evaluating preseason performances.

Key Statistical Takeaways

The most important numbers from the matchup can be summarized as follows:

Cleveland won 30-10.
Cleveland passed for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Carolina passed for 211 yards and one touchdown.
Cleveland rushed for 125 yards.
Carolina rushed for only 40 yards.
Cleveland quarterbacks threw zero interceptions.
Carolina threw one interception.
Cleveland recorded four sacks.
Carolina recorded three sacks.
Cleveland generated 63 punt-return yards.
Carolina generated only 17 punt-return yards.
Nik Needham recorded Cleveland’s interception.
Adin Huntington led Cleveland with six tackles.
Thomas Incoom led Carolina with five tackles.
Ahmani Marshall led Cleveland in rushing with 32 yards.
Emani Bailey led Carolina in rushing with 21 yards.
Sal Cannella led Cleveland in receptions with three.
Tetairoa McMillan led Carolina in receiving yards with 43.

Important Player Performances at a Glance

Player	Team	Key Statistics
Shedeur Sanders	Cleveland	14/23, 138 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Tyler Huntley	Cleveland	6/8, 51 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Andy Dalton	Carolina	13/19, 101 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Jack Plummer	Carolina	6/10, 79 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Bryce Young	Carolina	4/6, 58 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Ahmani Marshall	Cleveland	8 carries, 32 yards
Emani Bailey	Carolina	3 carries, 21 yards
Sal Cannella	Cleveland	3 receptions, 32 yards
Tetairoa McMillan	Carolina	2 receptions, 43 yards
Adin Huntington	Cleveland	6 tackles, 1 sack
Thomas Incoom	Carolina	5 tackles, 1 sack
Nik Needham	Cleveland	1 interception

Why the Box Score Should Be Read as a Whole

A box score can be misleading when individual categories are isolated.

For example, Carolina had:

More passing yards
More receiving yards
More total tackles
More solo tackles
More kick-return yards

Yet Cleveland won by 20 points.

The explanation is that football is not decided by total yardage alone.

Cleveland was better in several high-value areas:

Touchdown production
Rushing efficiency
Turnover margin
Defensive disruption
Punt-return efficiency

This is why comprehensive statistical analysis is more useful than simply identifying the player with the most yards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers game on August 9, 2025?

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-10 in the NFL preseason.

Who was Cleveland’s leading passer?

Shedeur Sanders led Cleveland’s passing attack with 14 completions on 23 attempts for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Who led Carolina in passing?

Andy Dalton completed 13 of 19 attempts for 101 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Jack Plummer and Bryce Young also took snaps.

Who led Cleveland in rushing?

Ahmani Marshall led Cleveland’s rushing production with eight carries for 32 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.

Who led Carolina in rushing?

Emani Bailey led Carolina with three carries for 21 yards, an average of 7.0 yards per carry.

Which team had more passing yards?

Carolina had more passing yards, with 211 compared with Cleveland’s 183. However, Cleveland produced three passing touchdowns and no interceptions, while Carolina had one passing touchdown and one interception.

Conclusion

The cleveland browns vs carolina panthers match player stats from August 9, 2025 show why a complete NFL box-score analysis needs more than a simple look at passing yards or total yardage. Cleveland’s 30-10 victory was built on a combination of efficient quarterback play, stronger rushing production, touchdown conversion, defensive pressure, turnover creation, and better punt-return results.

Shedeur Sanders led Cleveland with 138 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Tyler Huntley added another touchdown without throwing an interception. Cleveland’s rushing group produced 125 yards, led by Ahmani Marshall with 32 yards.

Carolina moved the ball more effectively through the air, producing 211 passing yards and 238 receiving yards. Tetairoa McMillan recorded 43 receiving yards, while Emani Bailey averaged 7.0 yards on three rushing attempts. However, the Panthers struggled to match Cleveland’s scoring efficiency and finished with only 10 points.

Defensively, Adin Huntington produced six tackles and a sack for Cleveland, while Thomas Incoom led Carolina with five tackles and a sack. Nik Needham’s interception also gave the Browns an important turnover advantage.

The biggest statistical lesson is that yardage does not automatically equal success. Cleveland’s ability to convert possessions into touchdowns, protect the football, pressure opposing quarterbacks, run the ball consistently, and gain strong field position on punt returns ultimately separated the teams.

For preseason evaluation, these numbers should also be viewed in context. Player workloads were limited and different quarterback, offensive, defensive, and special teams combinations were being tested. Even so, the game provided meaningful evidence about individual efficiency, roster depth, ball security, and team execution.