3 Takeaways from Browns' Week 1 Win

For the first time, the Cleveland Browns faced off against Baker Mayfield on Sunday afternoon. And in the process, they did something they had never done during the quarterback's four-year tenure with the team.

The Browns pulled out a 26-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, marking the first time they won their season opener since 2004. It was a good way for Cleveland to open the year as they look to make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

However, Carolina made things interesting late. Trailing 23-14, the Panthers cut the Browns' lead to two points when Mayfield threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Anderson with 6 minutes and 2 seconds remaining. Then, Carolina took a 24-23 lead on Eddy Pineiro's 34-yard field goal with 1:13 to go.

But Cleveland went 35 yards on six plays in the closing minutes, as Cade York's 58-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining lifted the team to victory.

Here are three takeaways from the Browns' Week 1 win.

York Is Already a Special Teams Difference-Maker

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Cleveland Browns place kicker Cade York (3) looks to the goal as he prepares for a last play 58-yard field goal attempt during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. York successfully completed the field goal for the Browns 26-24 win. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

When the Browns took York in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, it marked the earliest that a kicker had been drafted since 2016, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Roberto Aguayo in the second round. Through one game, it sure seems York was worth the draft capital it took to land him.

In his NFL debut, York went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts, which included the game-winning 58-yarder. His other FGs came from distances of 26, 34 and 36 yards, and he also made both of his extra-point attempts. So he accounted for 14 of Cleveland's 26 points.

York, a 21-year-old who went to LSU, became the kicker with the longest made field goal as a rookie in his team's first game of the season in NFL history, according to the NFL Media Research Department.

"I remember hitting it, realizing it was going in, stopped watching it," York said, per Anthony Poisal of the team's official site. "I usually don't celebrate kicks, but that one was a bit different."

That's understandable, because it was a huge moment for York in his first game in the league. But there could be plenty more in the future, and if that's the case, he's already proven that he'll be able to handle them. And that's a huge asset for the Browns on special teams.

The RB Duo Will Be Carrying the Offense

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns and Nick Chubb #24 leave the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

With Deshaun Watson serving an 11-game suspension to open the season, the Browns will rely on Jacoby Brissett to be their starting quarterback. The 29-year-old hasn't put up big numbers throughout his career, and that was again the case Sunday, when he went 18-for-34 for 147 yards and a touchdown.

While Watson is out, Cleveland will need to rely on its two-headed rushing attack of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. But that has the potential to work out well, just like it did in the season opener.

Chubb ran for 141 yards on 22 carries, while Hunt rushed for 46 yards, notched four catches for 24 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving). Both of Hunt's scores came in the game's first 10:14, which gave the Browns a 14-0 lead.

The running game helped Cleveland dominate the time of possession, as it had the ball for 38:26. Of the Browns' 355 total yards, 217 came on the ground.

If Cleveland is going to have success while Brissett is at quarterback, this is the formula the team will likely need to use. As long as Chubb and Hunt play as well as they're capable of, then the Browns could win quite a few games along the way.

Garrett Appears Ready to Have a Huge Year

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after sacking Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Myles Garrett appears poised for another big year in 2022. The 26-year-old defensive end came into the season only 3.5 sacks shy of the Browns' franchise record, which is currently held by Clay Matthews (62). Now, Garrett is even closer.

On Sunday, Garrett sacked Mayfield twice, increasing his career total to 60.5. It was an impressive start to the year for Garrett, who has the potential to be among the front-runners for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award this season.

Garrett had some extra motivation in the matchup against the Panthers, considering he was going up against his former teammate in Mayfield.

“I mean, the tone was set with the attitude of some of the guys on the other side,” Garrett said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “We were just ready to go out there and finally put things to bed.”

Now, Cleveland will move on to games against teams that don't have its former quarterback on the roster. But Garrett won't take it easy on them, either. He should rack up a lot of sacks, and perhaps he'll even surpass his single-season career high of 16.