3 keys to success for the Carolina Panthers vs. Browns in Week 1

Carolina Panthers OL production

It’s no secret that the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line play was horrendous in 2021. Give major credit to general manager Scott Fitterer and his staff as they went out this offseason and addressed that very position group.

The organization also went out and hired a new offensive line coach in James Campen. This move was a necessity as the quality of coaching at this position was poor last season.

Campen is highly respected as an offensive line coach and is exactly what the Panthers needed. The projected starting lineup of Ikem Ekwonu, Brady Christensen, Bradley Bozeman, Austin Corbett, and Taylor Moton stacks up to be a much-improved lineup on paper than the product that was on the field last year.

Some big matchups will see Ekwonu and Moton lock horns with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. Both former No. 1 overall selections can wreck a game singlehandedly and they are one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league.

Ekwonu has his work cut out during his first competitive NFL game. But thankfully, Moton is an established veteran and should be able to hold his own.

The interior of the line has a couple of new faces in Bozeman and Corbett. Blocking in this area will be important to establish the run game, which will be an essential part of the Panthers’ success on offense.

The offensive line has a big test in Week 1. Holding their own or better will go a long way to attaining a morale-boosting triumph in Week 1.