CAR at CLE
What the site's algorithm makes of it
Power ratings as stored for week 3, 2026 — the set this week's picks were made from.
It makes CLE the better side by 1.5.
Members see which side it is taking this week, and by how much it disagrees with the market.
Opened CAR -2.5
Now CAR -2.5
Line history: CAR -2.5 ×35 (Sep 22–Oct 13)
Scoring offense
Percentile against the league. Outward is better; the inner ring is the median.
Scoring defense
Percentile against the league. Outward is better; the inner ring is the median.
Passing
Bubble size is touchdowns.
Rushing
Bubble size is touchdowns.
Drives
Longer is better. 50 is the league median.
Conversions
Longer is better. 50 is the league median.
Betting record — 2026
| Split | CAR | CLE |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | SU 2-2 · ATS 2-2 · O/U 2-2 | SU 3-2 · ATS 3-2 · O/U 3-2 |
| At home | SU 1-1 · ATS 1-1 · O/U 2-0 | SU 2-0 · ATS 2-0 · O/U 1-1 |
| On the road | SU 1-1 · ATS 1-1 · O/U 0-2 | SU 1-2 · ATS 1-2 · O/U 2-1 |
| As favourite | SU 1-1 · ATS 1-1 · O/U 0-2 | |
| As underdog | SU 1-1 · ATS 1-1 · O/U 2-0 | SU 3-2 · ATS 3-2 · O/U 3-2 |
| In division | SU 1-0 · ATS 1-0 · O/U 0-1 | SU 1-0 · ATS 1-0 · O/U 1-0 |
| Out of division | SU 1-2 · ATS 1-2 · O/U 2-1 | SU 2-2 · ATS 2-2 · O/U 2-2 |
| Pick'em (±3) | SU 1-2 · ATS 1-2 · O/U 1-2 | SU 2-1 · ATS 2-1 · O/U 1-2 |
| Dog by 3-7 | SU 1-0 · ATS 1-0 · O/U 1-0 | |
| Dog by 7+ | SU 1-1 · ATS 1-1 · O/U 2-0 |
SU = straight up · ATS = against the spread · O/U = over-under. Records count GAMES PLAYED.
Season to date — 2026
| Metric | CAR | CLE |
|---|---|---|
| 1st downs | ||
| Total | 91 | 80 |
| Passing | 63 | 48 |
| Rushing | 24 | 25 |
| From penalties | 7 | 11 |
| Efficiency | ||
| Third down | 19 of 50 | 19 of 62 |
| Fourth down | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Volume | ||
| Total yards | 1,686 | 1,481 |
| Total plays | 265 | 289 |
| Yards per play | 6.4 | 5.1 |
| Drives | 46 | 60 |
| Passing | ||
| Passing yards | 1,268 | 1,010 |
| Completions | 101-173 | 96-169 |
| Yards per pass | 7.3 | 6.0 |
| Touchdowns | 9 | 7 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 2 |
| Sacks (yards lost) | 10 (63) | 19 (114) |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushing yards | 418 | 471 |
| Attempts | 96 | 126 |
| Yards per rush | 4.4 | 3.7 |
| Touchdowns | 4 | 2 |
| Red zone | ||
| Scores | 11 of 20 | 5 of 15 |
| Penalties | ||
| Penalties (yards) | 35 (270) | 49 (327) |
| Turnovers | ||
| Total | 3 | 6 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 5 |
| Interceptions thrown | 2 | 2 |
Full-season totals from the 2026 season, database N.
When these two have met
- 2026 wk 3 CAR 18, CLE 21 CLE won
- 2022 wk 1 CLE 26, CAR 24 CLE won
- 2018 wk 14 CAR 20, CLE 26 CLE won
Before the game
- Biggest mismatch: CAR's offense (5th) against CLE's defense (29th) in touchdown rate per pass.
The mismatch
- CAR's offense ranks 5th in touchdown rate per pass; CLE's defense ranks 29th against it.
- CAR's offense ranks 7th in share of drives ending in a score; CLE's defense ranks T-30th against it.
- CAR's offense ranks 4th in points per drive; CLE's defense ranks 25th against it.
- CLE's offense ranks 8th in average drive start (yards to go); CAR's defense ranks 23rd against it.
- CLE's offense ranks 14th in yards per play; CAR's defense ranks 26th against it.
- CLE's offense ranks 2nd in yards after catch; CAR's defense ranks T-13th against it.
Form and history
- Week 3, 2026: CAR (1 win, 1 loss), on a 1-game winning streak at CLE (1 win, 1 loss), on a 1-game winning streak.
- Head-to-head: CLE leads CAR 2–0 in games since 2018.
Starters and rest
- Projected starters: Bryce Young for CAR, Deshaun Watson for CLE.
Final — the recap is on this game's result page.