Carolina Panthers (2-15) vs. New England Patriots (4-12)
As the NFL gears up for another thrilling preseason, the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots are set to face off in a Week 1 clash on August 8, 2024. Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing performances last season, with the Panthers closing at 2-15 and the Patriots slightly better at 4-12. This encounter, part of our daily NFL preseason free picks, promises a fascinating glimpse into the potential upturn in fortunes for these squads, with all eyes fixed on their progress at Gillette Stadium.
It was a difficult inaugural year for the Panthers’ offense, but there were inklings of hope particularly in the ground and air games. Running back Chuba Hubbard demonstrated his worth as a primary ball carrier by having 902 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 238 carries that guided the team through tight situations. The wide-receiver corps was spearheaded by Adam Thielen who caught 103 passes for a total of 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in one season. A major part of this game includes his ability to get open for the ball; He had 345 yards after he made catches for Carolina last season.
On the flip side, New England also faced their own set of challenges only that they got some impressive plays from their skill positions. Rhamondre Stevenson topped the running game with just 12 appearances, amassing 619 yards on four touchdowns to indicate that he is primed to become New England’s feature back. DeMario Douglas had fewer yards among receivers with only 561 on 49 catches. His average per catch may not have been high at all (11.4), but it did show how much he could contribute when given an opportunity.
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Gillette Stadium |
| TV: | NFLN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Bryce Young QB vs. Bailey Zappe QB
For instance, Bryce Young as Carolina Panthers’ quarterback went through a rough first year where he completed 315-of-527 passing attempts for 2,877 yards.The touchdown-to-interception ratio was poor at eleven-to-ten although getting dropped behind fifty-five line caused him to complete nearly sixty percent of his dropbacks.Young’s development during training camp could be what turns things around.
However Bailey Zappe made some positive strides whenever given a chance by his coaches over at Foxborough last year in brief cameos. In ten contests, Zappe threw for six scores on just under thirteen hundred passes but was hampered by nine picks.His completion percentage stood at fifty-nine point nine last term which will be significant in proving its case while it hopes to continue as the current season progresses and he establishes himself in his position.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: New England Patriots -165, Total Odds: 34.5
The betting odds have the Patriots favored at home with a -165 moneyline and a -3.5 point spread, reflecting some confidence in their ability to cover the spread against the Panthers. The total for the game is set at 34.5, with equal odds on the over and under, indicating expectations of a relatively low-scoring game.
Carolina Panthers Betting Trends
The Panthers have struggled to cover the spread, going 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 games. Moreover, the total has gone UNDER in 9 of their last 11 games, suggesting that their offensive woes might continue unless significant improvements are seen during the preseason.
New England Patriots Betting Trends
Similarly, the Patriots have had their challenges, matching the Panthers’ ATS record at 5-12-1 in their last 18. However, the total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games, contrasting sharply with their historical performances against Carolina, where the total went UNDER in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots 8/8/24 Betting Picks
Considering the teams’ recent performances and betting trends, this game is poised to be a tightly contested affair. The Patriots, despite their struggles, appear slightly better positioned to capitalize at home, especially given their slightly better offensive dynamics last season.
The Panthers will need significant contributions from their key players to cover the spread. The Patriots’ tendency for higher-scoring games recently makes the OVER on 34.5 an appealing bet, despite the historical UNDER trend in matchups against Carolina. For those exploring the best online betting opportunities, the Patriots to cover and the OVER are intriguing options.
