The Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots face off in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason on Friday. The Patriots earned a Wild Card spot last season after finishing with a 10-7 record. On the other hand, Carolina struggled in the 2021 campaign. The Panthers went 5-12 and finished last in the NFC South.
Kick off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Mass. is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Carolina is a 2-point favorite in the latest Panthers vs. Patriots odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total runs scored is 40.5. Before you lock in the Patriots vs. Panthers picks or the 2022 NFL preseason predictions, be sure to check out what SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein has to say.
A former editor of Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines an extensive network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed while working for Pro Football Focus. Going into the 2022 NFL season, he has an all-time 427-344 record on NFL side picks (plus $3,764 for $100 players), including 394-330 ATS. Hartstein was 68-50 ATS (58%) and 8-3 on Money Line plays last season for a profit of $1,552.
Hartstein also had nine of his last 11 picks involving the Panthers, netting nearly $700 for $100 players. Everyone who followed him is upstairs.
Now Hartstein has locked the Patriots against the Panthers from all angles and released a confident pick against the spread. You can visit SportsLine now to see its picks and analysis. Here are several NFL odds and trends for the Panthers vs. Pats:
- Difference Panthers vs. Patriots: Carolina -2
- Panthers vs. Patriots over/under: 40.5 points
- Silver line Panthers vs Patriots: Carolina -130, New England +105
- CAR: Over bets are 4-1 in Panthers’ last five road games
- NE: Patriots are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games
- Panthers vs. Patriots picks: See picks here
Featured Game | New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
Why the Panthers can cover
Quarterback PJ Walker should see plenty of action in this contest. Walker is an athletic playmaker looking to show off his talent. The Temple product has an impressive arm with the ability to play with his legs if necessary. In the first preseason contest, Walker went 10-for-19 for 136 yards.
Running back Spencer Brown could also earn valuable reps against New England. The undrafted free agent made a positive impact in Week 1 of the preseason. Brown racked up 36 yards with a score. The UAB product has a strong vision and is a downhill racer. Second-year running back Chuba Hubbard is another downhill running back with good vision. Hubbard is able to miss defenders and provides this offense with a different element.
Why the Patriots can cover
Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will get the majority of the snaps against Carolina. Zappe was one of the FBS’ most prolific passers in the 2021 campaign. The Western Kentucky product led the nation in passing yards (5,967) and touchdowns (62). Zappe is calm under the center with terrific pocket presence.
The 2022 fourth-round pick played well in Game 1 of the preseason, going 19 for 32 for 205 yards with a passing touchdown. Zappe showed great balance and precision under pressure against the New York Giants. Zappe should play at least half the football, which should be an advantage for New England.
How to Make Panthers vs. Patriots Picks
Now Hartstein has broken down the Patriots against the Panthers from every angle. He’s leaning under the total, and he’s found a critical x-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-have on Friday. He shares what it is and who to support, only at SportsLine.
So who wins the Patriots against the Panthers? And what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread unavoidable? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Panthers vs. Patriots spread you should jump on Friday, all from the expert who is 9-2 on Panthers picks, and find out.
