The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars meet Sunday in NFL action at EverBank Stadium. Here’s a Jaguars vs Panthers Prediction. This article will include a Jaguars vs Panthers Prediction Pick.
Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
The Carolina Panthers won 5 games last season and enter year two under coach Dave Canales. The Panthers are looking for their first playoff berth since the 2017 season.
The Panthers are hoping quarterback Bryce Young can take that next step in his career, and they bring back all five offensive linemen to provide some chemistry. Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan provides an upgrade on the outside, while running back Chuba Hubbard just got the bag that ensures he’s one of the faces of this franchise. If Young can keep showing flashes of improvement, the Panthers have potential offensively.
The Panthers were god awful defensively last season. The return of pro bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown is a start. The Panthers have another pro bowl caliber defender in cornerback Jaycee Horn. Additions of Tershawn Wharton, Patrick Jones II, and Bobby Brown III should improve the quality up front. Still, this Panthers’ defense was historically bad a year ago, so it’s key to take a wait and see approach.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars won 4 games last season and begin the Liam Coen era. The Jags have made the playoffs twice since the 2008 season.
It feels like the jury is still out on Trevor Lawrence, who has shown flashes of brilliance at times but has also struggled with play and injuries. No excuses this season with a receiving duo of Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. A running back tandem of Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby is underrated, and the Jaguars have invested in the offensive line by bringing in Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey. There are pieces in place for this Jaguars offense to make some noise. It’s time for Lawrence to bring a bit more consistency.
Defensively, Josh Hines-Allen remains one of the better defensive lineman in the league, and Travon Walker has proven to be a solid running mate. Devin Lloyd and Foye Oluokun is a strong linebacker duo, and Hunter in the backfield should improve a brutal Jags pass defense. Still, there are concerns on this side of the ball after last year’s struggles and a questionable pass rush and secondary.
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars will win
- The Panthers have lost each of their last nine games in Florida.
- The home team has won five of the last six games between the Panthers and Jaguars.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games in Florida.
- The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Panthers’ last eight Week 1 games.
- The Jaguars have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games.
- The home team has won the first quarter in four of the last five games between the Panthers and Jaguars.
- The Panthers have lost the first half in 13 of their last 14 Sunday road games.
Why the Carolina Panthers will win
- The Jaguars have lost each of their last six games in September.
- The Panthers have won each of their last three September games as road underdogs against AFC opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Panthers’ last nine games.
- The Jaguars have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight September games against NFC opponents.
- The Jaguars have lost the first quarter in five of their last six September games as home favorites.
- The Panthers have won the first half in each of their last six September road games against AFC opponents.
Jacksonville Jaguars Player Prop Facts
- Brian Thomas has scored at least one touchdown in five of the Jaguars’ last six games at EverBank Stadium.
- Trevor Lawrence has recorded 24+ completions in three of the Jaguars’ last four September games as favorites.
- Travis Etienne has recorded 44+ rushing yards in seven of his last eight appearances in Florida.
- Brian Thomas has recorded 76+ receiving yards in each of the Jaguars’ last seven games.
- Tank Bigsby has recorded 33+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Jaguars’ last six games.
- Travis Etienne ranked 1st in the league amongst qualified players for broken tackle percentage (50.0%) last season.
Carolina Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Chuba Hubbard has scored the last touchdown in four of his last five appearances with the Panthers as underdogs on the East Coast.
- Chuba Hubbard has scored at least one touchdown in five of his last six appearances with the Panthers as underdogs.
- Rico Dowdle has recorded 75+ rushing yards in each of his last five road appearances.
- Andy Dalton has recorded 243+ passing yards in eight of his last nine September road appearances against AFC opponents.
- David Moore has recorded 17+ receiving yards in nine of the Panthers’ last 10 games.
- Rico Dowdle has recorded 98+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last five road appearances.
- Andy Dalton has recorded 23+ completions in six of his last eight Week 1 road appearances.
- Mike Jackson ranked T1st in the NFC for passes defensed (17) last season.
Jaguars vs Panthers Prediction
The Jaguars are supposed to be the better team and will get the benefit of the doubt at home. However, I’m not sold on Lawrence winning games he’s supposed to win, and this Jags’ defense still has question marks. The Jaguars are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite, and five of those failed covers were outright losses. The Panthers have more upside in the underdog role than the Jaguars do as favorites. The Jags have some showing and proving to do, especially with a new coaching staff. I’ll grab the points with the Panthers opening week.