Is Bryce Young making the next step toward being elite? 

He’s been a superstar through two weeks, throwing six touchdown passes and posting 648 passing yards in that time. 

He now gets a Cleveland Browns squad that was relatively lucky to get through a hapless Buccaneers team. 

The issue for me isn’t that the Browns are good – they’re not – and Deshaun Watson isn’t having a rebirth either.

Carolina has smashed early on this year, but with starting linebacker Devin Lloyd out and Jalen Coker banged up and listed as questionable, my model continues to favor the Browns. 

We have Cleveland as just a half-point underdog at home. 

Add in that Young hasn’t yet shown to be the same player on the road and we have a much different Carolina team.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of a game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Getty Images

In his career, Young is a significantly different player at home vs. on the road: He owns a 58.7 percent completion rate on the road vs. 64.8 percent at home, with a 78.5 rating against an 87.2 rating. 

Given Young’s regression on the road and the Panthers’ defensive holes thanks to injuries and we could be looking at the Quinshon Judkins show.

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Much more about Judkins in my player props column. 

Target the underdog Browns in this spot as I’m not believer in the Panthers to start the season 2-1 without their captain and most important defensive player.

PREDICTION: Browns +2.5 (52 percent, Polymarket)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.