The Carolina Panthers were brimming with confidence heading into their Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns. They should have won, but sloppy mistakes and poor complementary football held them back from start to finish.
Now, the Panthers are 1-2 before a crucial Sunday Night Football clash with the Detroit Lions before their bye week.
Many saw this as a trap game beforehand, and they were right. The Browns made it difficult, winning in the trenches and sticking to the game plan to make the Panthers uncomfortable. It was still close right until the end, but for once, they couldn't come through when it counted.
It was a frustrating afternoon at the office. Head coach Dave Canales was visibly displeased after the game, and he will be demanding a big response from his players with the prime-time spotlight burning next weekend.
That's for the near future. For now, here are three winners and five losers from Carolina's defeat in Cleveland.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' frustrating defeat to the Cleveland Browns
Loser No. 1
Robert Hunt - Commanders OL
Carolina has problems along its offensive line right now. While all the focus centers on the offensive tackle tandem of Rasheed Walker and first-round rookie Monroe Freeling, right guard Robert Hunt's poor start to the campaign has gone overlooked.
But it's a big problem.
Hunt is being paid like one of the league's elite interior linemen. He's a Pro Bowl-caliber performer at the peak of his powers, but there are clear signs of regression through the opening three games.
This was another example.
Hunt struggled mightily against an impressive Browns defensive front. He had no answer for Mason Graham, who was a relentless presence throughout. The Louisiana product is good enough to turn the tide, but it needs to happen quickly.
Winner No. 1
Brycen Tremayne - Carolina Panthers WR
The Panthers needed someone else to step up in their receiver room. The Browns blanketed Tetairoa McMillan, making him the primary focus of their coverage plan. To make matters worse, Jalen Coker left the game with a quad injury, removing another dynamic playmaker from the equation.
With Xavier Legette also out, the problems were clear. But for Brycen Tremayne, this was another opportunity to showcase his credentials.
And he didn't waste it.
Tremayne made the roster once again as a special-teams force. However, he can stretch the field and make tough contested catches. With four catches for 83 receiving yards, the Stanford product was easily the best-performing receiver in Cleveland on an otherwise underwhelming afternoon.
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