CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Browns fans were on the edge of their seats in the final minutes of the season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

The Browns escaped with a win [26-24] against the Panthers and the team’s former quarterback Baker Mayfield, thanks to their kicker Cade York. York kicked a 58-yard field goal in the last seconds of the game to put the Browns on top.

 

What You Need To Know

  • The Cleveland Browns beat the Carolina Panthers 26-24 on the road in their season opener
  • The Browns sealed the deal in the final seconds of the game thanks to a 58-yard field goal by Cade York

  • The team took on their former quarterback Baker Mayfield, who started for the Panthers

  • The Browns take on the New York Jets in their home opener next Sunday, Sept. 18

 

Fans were eager to see how the team would stack up against Mayfield and eager to see what drama would go down both out on the field and along the sidelines. The Baker drama has been far from the only drama the team’s had to deal with, so far, this year.

The Browns started the regular season Sunday without their star quarterback, DeShaun Waston, who is currently serving his suspension. Watson will sit out 11 games, after he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct. Watson has always denied any wrongdoing, and he maintained his innocence shortly after agreeing to the settlement worked out between the NFL and NFL Players Association following the league’s appeal of his original six-game suspension.

Several fans said they have mixed feelings about the team swapping out Mayfield for Watson.

“There’s a little bit of heart left for Baker,” said Brendan Wagner, who watched Sunday’s game with his friends at the new Pioneer restaurant in Ohio City.

Mayfield took to the field as starting quarterback for the Panthers, looking for revenge against his former team.

Tension was easily evident out on the field.

“We can do better than Baker, but I felt bad he played all last season while injured," said Matt Simmerly. "They kind of did him dirty."

Many other fans agreed Baker’s departure wasn’t the most eloquent one.

“I wasn’t happy with the organization treating Baker the way they did. But, you know, Baker wasn’t getting it done,” said Jacob Moore.

Still, fans appear to be hopeful for a decent season, especially with Sunday’s win on the road, albeit a nail biter.

After a slow start, Mayfield led the Panthers to 17 fourth-quarter points, including rushing for a touchdown, before York’s miracle punt sealed the deal for the Browns.

“As long as they play better than Baker, I’m happy,” said Moore. “It’s all about end results.”

Their Browns take on the New York Jets in their home opener next Sunday, Sept. 18.