Despite the fact the Carolina TV announcing team for last Friday night’s preseason opener against the Browns stopped just short of making it sound like the team was going to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC, the truth of the matter is the Panthers are not very good at all.

They lost 30-10 to a Browns team that is likely at, or near, the bottom of the AFC, and they looked bad doing it.

The Browns go from the variable outhouse to the penthouse in the second of their three preseason games, playing the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. Saturday, and it will be very interesting to see how they match up.

The most disappointing thing in that regard, though? That’s easy, it’s that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who wowed everybody, even his staunchest detractors, with his performance against Carolina, won’t play against the Eagles and also possibly for a good long while afterward with an oblique injury suffered in practice. People were chomping at the bit to see him again — this time against the best team in the league — and it won’t happen. What a tremendous setback for everyone involved.

If you were gearing up for that game, you might still want to grab a Cleveland Browns jersey to rep your team or a Browns sideline cap to wear for the rest of preseason.

That opens the way for the other rookie passer, Dillon Gabriel, to get his first chance of the preseason to play. I’ll be interested to see it, certainly — in fact, everyone will be interested in it — but it won’t be as much as it would have been to see Sanders: Take Two.

For those watching at home, now’s a good time to set up your space for the season. A Browns fleece throw blanket makes those couch sessions better, and a team-logo pint glass set adds some game-day spirit.

With all these injuries at quarterback, perhaps the Browns have stumbled upon something of which other clubs should take notice. That is, stock up at quarterback much more so than at any other spot, because you can’t win without a competent quarterback, but you can win with only so-so guys elsewhere.

Until Sanders is back, Browns fans will have to cheer in style — whether that’s with a Browns hoodie for cooler fall games or a Browns tailgate chair for those who prefer the parking lot to the couch.

Steve King

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