The Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts will close the first week of the 2021 NFL season, as they lock horns at Lucas Stadium down in Indianapolis. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Carolina Panthers vs Indianapolis Colts Preseason Week 1 Game on August 15, 2021
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Sunday, August 15, 2021, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers (+1.5) vs Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) – view all 2021 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Network
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (+1.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
Sam Darnold will look to reboot his career in a different setting after his stint with the New York Jets. Now with the Panthers, Darnold could probably see at least a bit of action this Sunday against the Colts. In his first three seasons in the NFL, Darnold had 8,097 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, and 39 interceptions thrown. Darnold, however, will share the limelight this Sunday with PJ Walker and Will Grier, who are still battling for the main backup role, so there’s more on the line for these two players. Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to see action, as he’s locked in as the RB1 of the team, so also expect to see more from rookie Chuba Hubbard and Reggie Bonnafon. On defense, Carolina is eager to see what rookie cornerback and eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Jaycee Horn could add to their secondary that struggled mightily in 2020.
The Panthers are 5-4-1 against the spread in their last 10 preseason games.
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts (-1.5)
Regular Season Record: 0-0
The Colts have a new quarterback in Carson Wentz, but he got hurt before the regular season could even begin. Wentz’s availability for Week 1 of the regular season is still up in the air, so there’s added importance to the quality of play and readiness of Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger. With guard Quenton Nelson also going down with an injury that would keep him out for at least the early goings of the 2021 NFL regular season, Danny Pinter and Jake Eldrenkamp will be forced to step up. This is also an opportunity for rookie guard Will Fries to show why he deserves to make the final roster cut. The Colts had one of the best pass protection in the NFL last season with a 3.39 offensive sacks percentage.
The Colts are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 preseason games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Panthers win, 24-21.
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