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The NFL season is nearly underway as the Carolina Panthers are set to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night in a preseason matchup. It should be a great game, as both teams will have a chance to scout the depth of their rosters. It's time to continue our NFL odds series with a Panthers-Colts prediction and pick.
The Panthers aim for an improved year after acquiring Sam Darnold in the offseason. Carolina has a young roster who are trying to get acclimated to the NFL. This preseason opener should give the coaching staff a good idea of how far along their team has developed.
The Colts made the postseason last year but their playoff run was cut short after losing to the Buffalo Bills. They have the making to be a heavy-run team with Jonathan Taylor leading the way. This preseason matchup should help the coaching staff find out how deep the roster really is.
Here's how the sportsbooks have set the odds for Sunday night's matchup.
NFL Odds: Carolina Panthers-Indianapolis Colts Odds
Carolina Panthers +1.5 (-105)
Indianapolis Colts -1.5 (-115)
Over 34.5 (-110)
Under 34.5 (-110)
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Why the Carolina Panthers Could Win
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The odds say the Panthers are the slight underdog for this one, however, this is a matchup Carolina can win. Matt Rhule and the front office have spent time acquiring as many young assets as possible over the last two years. For that reason, the Panthers have a young core that's ready to prove themselves. Carolina will be eager to hit the field on Sunday, as this team is chomping at the bit to see their first action.
Due to how young this team is, the depth of this roster is yet to be determined. There are plenty of position battles in training camp as the coaching staff must choose the best lineup possible. Look for the Panthers to play hard in their preseason opener, as the team is filled with guys trying to prove themselves and earn a spot on the final roster.
Why the Indianapolis Colts Could Win
Indianapolis needs to show consistency and that's what they hope to do in their first preseason matchup against the Panthers. The Colts have a stellar defense that should keep them competitive throughout the year. Indy will be keeping a close eye on the offense though, as the team must show improvement in that area if they hope to make another playoff run.
The coaching staff will likely pay attention to the wide receiver room, as the Colts don't necessarily have a true top target right now. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line are built to be a steady rushing attack, so Frank Reich might open up the playbook to see how the passing game plays out. Look for Indianapolis to throw the ball often in this game, which was a huge weakness for this Panthers defense last year.
Final Panthers-Colts Prediction & Pick
At the end of the day, the preseason is more for development and practice than it is about winning football games. Regardless, both franchises are coming into the opener looking for a win. Carolina's young core will be looking to prove themselves in this one, so the Panthers might come out with a bit more urgency. Their defense might struggle a tad in pass coverage, but this is a great opportunity for the team to improve in that area.
FINAL PANTHERS-COLTS PICK: Panthers win 20-14
