With two weeks down in the NFL preseason, the Carolina Panthers are still struggling with their passing game as Cam Newton is still trying to get back up to speed. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots looked like the Super Bowl contenders they are after the preseason debut of franchise quarterback Tom Brady.
Now in the third week of the preseason, it’s finally time to get a more serious look at these two teams’ starters look as they inch closer toward the regular season. For more info on how these two teams will look, take a look at the complete season previews for the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. Nevertheless, read on for some NFL preseason action to spice up your Friday night.
[sc:Football ]Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
When: Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots – view all NFL Lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]It is the third week of preseason, and it’s time the fans see the stars come out to play. The Carolina Panthers want to see quarterback Cam Newton continue to build chemistry with wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. On the other hand, Tom Brady will build on an impressive preseason debut against a tough Carolina defense while cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner spell trouble for the Panthers as they become more comfortable as a shutdown duo.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera does not want Cam Newton to run as many read-option plays as the QB has in the past. That could mean running back Jonathan Stewart becomes a beneficiary of Rivera’s possible change in play-calling. Stewart impressed against the Kansas City Chiefs, with 26 yards on four carries with two touchdowns in a 28-16 Panthers win.
Newton struggled early in the preseason’s second week. The rust from his ankle surgery was evident as he missed five of his first six passes to end up completing four of nine for 65 yards. One of the misses had Newton overthrowing to wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin after the rookie WR got behind their opponents’ secondary.
Nevertheless, Newton will have enough playing time against the New England Patriots to further shake off his rust. He will also have a nice new target to help him open up his passing game in WR Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery is coming off an excellent season in which he caught 46 passes for a career-high 10 TDs. It will be important for the Panthers offense to have Newton and Cotchery to find their groove before the start of the regular season.
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Betting on the New England Patriots
The New England Patriots showed a balanced offense (250 yards rushing, 245 passing) in dispatching the Philadelphia Eagles 42-35 on Friday. The Pats’ second preseason game also served as QB Tom Brady’s preseason debut for his team.
The veteran QB was accurate in completing eight of 10 passes for 81 yards with a touchdown, but one of those incompletions resulted in an interception. Aside from Brady, the two other Pats QBs, rookie Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Mallett, both threw TD passes.
For the coming game, the Patriots may not enjoy the same accuracy they had passing against the Philadelphia Eagles (32nd last season) when they meet the Carolina Panthers, who were sixth in the league at defending against the pass last season. Since this is Week 3, the Pats will be meeting Carolina’s best defensive line and secondary thus giving them a great challenge to help get them ready for the regular season, at least for a significant amount of play time.
Carolina isn’t the only team in this game with a good secondary. New England acquired cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to improve their pass defense. The Patriots defense will likely have field day against a rusty and struggling Cam Newton.
Writer’s Prediction
The New England Patriots’ secondary take care of Cam Newton and the Panthers, while Brady does what he does best and leads his team to an easy win.
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