Jets vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Thanks to the annual Hall of Fame game on August 3, the Jets received a head start on the NFL pre-season, but it didn’t do much good as New York fell 21-16 to the Cleveland Browns. The Jets are back at it on Saturday when they travel to North Carolina to face the Panthers.
Carolina is an early 3.5-point favourite to win on the NFL pre-season odds, while the total sits at 37.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams haven’t met in the pre-season since a 17-12 Panthers victory in 2012. Carolina and New York did not meet in the regular season last year and won’t again in 2023. The last head-to-head was in Week 1 of the 2021 regular season. In his first career NFL start, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson finished with 258 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Sam Darnold (now in San Francisco) finished with 279 passing yards and a touchdown.
Both teams have been fairly good pre-season squads in recent years, which generally means they struggle in the regular season. Over the last 10 pre-seasons dating back to 2012 (2020 pre-season was cancelled), New York has a 19-18-1 record while Carolina is 22-16.
The Jets were a perfect 3-0 in the pre-season last year, claiming victories over the Eagles, Falcons and Giants. The Panthers went 2-1 in the 2022 pre-season, defeating Washington and Buffalo while losing to New England.
After making a major splash in the off-season by acquiring quarterback and four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers, New York currently has the second-best odds to win the AFC East at +249. They are +892 to win the AFC outright and +1513 to win the Super Bowl. The Jets’ season win total is set at 9.5.
There is not much optimism in Carolina this season as they have the second-worst odds to win the NFC South at +402. They are +3038 to win the NFC outright and they are heavy +6730 Super Bowl long shots. The Panthers’ season win total is set at 7.5.
New York Jets
It was another disappointing season for the Jets in 2022. They finished the year with a 7-10 record, their third straight double-digit loss season. It was the 12th straight season New York missed the playoffs, the longest active drought in the NFL.
There are much higher expectations in 2023 with Rodgers under centre, however don’t expect to see him play on Saturday. The Jets used Wilson, Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler at quarterback in the Hall of Fame game. Streveler, who was waived after the game, struggled heavily, connecting on just one of seven pass attempts while throwing a game-ending interception. Wilson and Boyle should split snaps against Carolina. Wilson finished 3-of-5 last week for 65 yards. Boyle was 6-of-11 for 61 yards.
In addition to Rodgers, other notable starters expected to sit out Saturday’s game include wide receiver Garrett Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner, linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina finished with a 7-10 record in 2022 and missed the playoffs for a third straight season. The Panthers have only played one playoff game since their Super Bowl 50 loss to Denver in 2015.
Carolina head coach Frank Reich has announced nearly all players should expect to get in the game on Saturday. All eyes will be on recent first overall draft pick Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback out of Alabama. Young is expected to get the start, but it’s unclear how many snaps the rookie will see. In his junior year with the Crimson Tide last season, Young started all 12 games, finishing the season with 3,328 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 185 yards and four touchdowns.
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