Slight edgeCAR
Carolina Panthers
71.8PFM Team Score#30 NFL
Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns: PFM Team Comparison
The Carolina Panthers hold a slight overall advantage over the Cleveland Browns in the current PFM ratings. Carolina separates itself through the less unsettled quarterback situation and the clearer long-term football direction.
Current PFM Team Scores
CLE
Cleveland Browns
70.9PFM Team Score#32 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Carolina Panthers Higher
Quarterback is still a concern for both teams, but the Carolina Panthers carry less uncertainty than the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland's strongest counterargument is Roster Strength. Roster depth favors the Cleveland Browns only because Carolina has the deeper set of concerns.
Carolina also brings the clearer long-term football direction. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Carolina's slight overall advantage.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Carolina vs. Cleveland Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
CARCarolina Panthers
CLECleveland Browns
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Cleveland Browns’ Best Argument
Cleveland is closer to a workable supporting lineup, but the roster grade remains below the strength range. The roster strength advantage is a real point in Cleveland's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Cleveland is that Carolina counters with the less unsettled quarterback situation and the clearer long-term football direction.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
CAR71.8
Carolina Panthers 71.8CLE70.9
Cleveland Browns 70.9Overall NFL Rank
CAR#30
Carolina Panthers #30CLE#32
Cleveland Browns #32QB Stability
CAR75.3
Carolina Panthers 75.3CLE66.9
Cleveland Browns 66.9Roster Strength
CAR69.3
Carolina Panthers 69.3CLE76.8
Cleveland Browns 76.8Coaching Direction
CAR70.6
Carolina Panthers 70.6CLE72.8
Cleveland Browns 72.8Recent Performance
CAR71.2
Carolina Panthers 71.2CLE66.0
Cleveland Browns 66.0Offense
CAR74.3
Carolina Panthers 74.3CLE70.7
Cleveland Browns 70.7Defense
CAR73.7
Carolina Panthers 73.7CLE80.9
Cleveland Browns 80.9Franchise Direction
CAR71.8
Carolina Panthers 71.8CLE69.4
Cleveland Browns 69.4Explosiveness
CAR73.7
Carolina Panthers 73.7CLE65.7
Cleveland Browns 65.7Conference Rank
CAR#16
Carolina Panthers #16CLE#16
Cleveland Browns #16Division Rank
CAR#4
Carolina Panthers #4CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4Outlook
CARRebuilding or Major ConcernsCLERebuilding or Major Concerns
Same outlookSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Carolina Panthers
Remaining schedule rank: #19
Toughest stretch: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions
Next five difficulty: 79.6
View Carolina Panthers Road AheadCleveland Browns
Remaining schedule rank: #31
Toughest stretch: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals
Strongest opponents: Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Next five difficulty: 77.1
View Cleveland Browns Road AheadCarolina has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 19. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions. Cleveland gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Carolina still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated September 15, 2026. Schedule data updated September 17, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams