The Panthers look to be in trouble this season as the loss of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a season-ending ACL injury is a huge blow. Carolina may try to pass the ball more in this contest to get Cam Newton ready to roll for the regular season, but Newton wasn’t sharp last week and we can’t count on the Panthers being strong against the Patriots.
ODDS
The Carolina Panthers opened as a 2-point favorite with a total of 43, but the game has since been bet down to a pick ‘em.
Both Panthers’ preseason games have gone well over the total, and the Patriots game sailed over last week in their 26-24 comeback win over the Saints.
That’s a big tell as to why this game’s total has already shot up to 44.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Cam Newton is going to play more and into the third quarter in this dress rehearsal game in preparation for the regular season. Joe Webb has been productive in the preseason and was 12-of-17 for 131 yards and a touchdown after he replaced backup Derek Anderson.
New England starter Jimmy Garoppolo was very sharp last week leading five scoring drives and hitting 28-of-33 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown. He’ll continue to get the bulk of the work as the Patriots get him ready to be the starter the first four weeks of the regular season.
Tom Brady failed to move the team for a first down in three drives last week, and New England only played the two quarterbacks.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
The Panthers went three-and-out on each of their first two offensive drives and threw an interception on their third against Miami as they fell behind 14-0 and generally looked overmatched and outplayed by their counterparts.
Look for Carolina to play with more fire and focus as the coaches make sure they’re motivated and ready to perform better this week.
QUOTE TO NOTE
Special teams get little coverage, but they’re an underappreciated part of the game.
“I love the kicking game. Nothing gets me more ready to play football than thinking about covering a punt or covering a kickoff,” said Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater.
He’s mastered his craft so thoroughly that he’s been elected to four consecutive Pro Bowls and will be a captain for the fifth straight season.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Defensive End: Veteran Charles Johnson is locked in as the top edge rusher and will see action on both sides of the defensive line for the Panthers. The team will likely use a rotation opposite Johnson, but following Frank Alexander’s season-ending injury, Wes Horton, Mario Addison and Kony Ealy will need to play a bigger role with Ealy the likely starter.
Wide Receiver: Jerritt Boykin and Mike Brown were the top receiver targets for the Panthers in last week’s 31-30 win versus Miami, and Carolina is rotating receivers through due to Benjamin’s injury.
INJURIES
Rookie second-round pick Devin Funchess will get a chance to show his receiving skills this week after sitting out the Panthers game against Miami with a hamstring injury.
Injuries to Frank Alexander, Ryan Kalil and Richie Brockel, as well as a noticeable limp from Cam Newton are worth watching in preparation for this match-up.
Defensive end Alexander was carted off against the Dolphins with a season ending torn Achilles.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
New England trailed 21-0 last week before rallying to beat the Saints 26-24. But there is concern with their starting lineup and issues at wide receiver, as Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski did not play last week.
That further limited the receiving options for a team already playing without Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman. Check the status of those players this week in the dress rehearsal tune-up, but some of the many banged-up players for the Patriots should start to see some time in this dress rehearsal game.
The Patriots secondary won’t be as good as it was last year, but this pass rush will be one of the best in the entire league. They’re big, talented, explosive, deep, and have one of the best trios of linebackers in the NFL.
That’s more than Carolina has, and with the starters playing longer this week, we see the Panthers falling for the first time in the preseason.
New England 23, Carolina 17
BookMaker sent out the NFL betting odds for this Sunday game at Panthers -2 with a total of 43. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers game is scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium
