4 major observations from Baker Mayfield’s performance vs. Browns

Carolina Panthers and Baker Mayfield get a major wake-up call

Make no mistake, this was a significant wake-up call for the Carolina Panthers. And if Baker Mayfield didn’t know it before, he is now all too aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting him in 2022.

The optimism surrounding this team before the campaign evaporated quickly. The Cleveland Browns had their way in the trenches and ran all over Carolina with the supreme duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt from start to finish.

As stated previously, Mayfield didn’t throw in the towel. But there was just too much working against the Panthers collectively to secure a comeback for the ages.

Some harsh lessons were learned in no uncertain terms. Complications that became rife last season also reared their ugly head once again en route to Carolina’s eventual demise.

Mayfield’s performance was a tale of two halves, overall. Unable to put a sloppy start behind him and left himself far too much to do.

It was never going to be perfect. The early signs were not good, but there was enough to suggest Mayfield can put up real numbers as the season goes on.

The problem is that Carolina needs some early wins in the column.

What’s important for Mayfield is to dust himself off, regroup, and hopefully perform better at the New York Giants in a must-win game for the Panthers. If they fall in that one, their slim hopes of wildcard football will be an extremely tough ask.