The Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers wrap up their preseason with a clash in Charlotte on Friday night.
These are two teams with completely opposite philosophies this preseason. The Lions have been sitting virtually every starter in anticipation of a playoff push while the Panthers continue to give reps to first-string players ahead of what will be a rebuilding year.
NFL odds have the hosts as -4 point favorites with the total sitting at 37.
Here are my best free NFL picks and predictions for this Week 3 preseason clash between the Lions vs. Panthers on August 25.
Lions vs Panthers odds
Lions vs Panthers predictions
The Carolina Panthers have said that they'll use starters on offense in this contest. However, even with first pick overall Bryce Young and other starters taking part in the preseason, they haven't had success moving the ball.
Young had just 21 passing yards in their first preseason game, a contest in which the Panthers were shut out and had just 165 net yards. While they mustered 19 points against the Giants last week, they threw for a meager 134 yards with Young accounting for 35 of them on six attempts.
Even with Young and other starters on the field for a few drives don't expect them to put up many points against a decent Detroit Lions defense. While Detroit has struggled on D over the last several years, they've spent plenty of resources drafting and signing players to beef up that unit.
Although it hasn't resulted in much progress during the regular season, it does mean that they have the depth to slow down attacks at this time of the year. Although they were gashed by the Jags last week, they limited the Giants to just 216 yards and 16 points in Week 1.
That said, the Lions don't have as much depth on offense and will likely rest all their offensive starters for the third week in a row. Detroit's backup quarterback situation is also concerning with Nate Sudfield, Adrian Martinez, and the newly acquired Teddy Bridgewater all struggling.
Against the Giants the Lions averaged 4.51 yards per play and last week they mustered a pathetic 131 total net yards while scoring just seven points.
My best bet: Under 37 (-110 at bet365)
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Lions vs Panthers spread and Over/Under analysis
This line hit the board on Tuesday morning with the Panthers installed as 3-point favorites and that line has grown to -4.5. The total hasn't seen any movement and is being offered at 36.5 or 37 depending on the book.
The Lions have kept virtually all their starters on the sidelines this preseason and they lost 25-7 to the Jags last week after edging the Giants 21-16 in their preseason opener. The Panthers were clobbered 27-0 in their first game of the preseason before losing 21-19 to the Giants last Friday.
Lions vs Panthers betting trend to know
The Lions are 2-5-1 ATS in eight preseason games since 2021. Find more NFL betting trends for Lions vs. Panthers.
Lions vs Panthers game info
| Location: | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Friday, August 25, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBS |
| Opening odds: | Panthers -2.5, 37 O/U |
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