For the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers, the final preseason game means more to the individual players than the teams.
It is the final chance for players to make their case for a roster spot. Lions coach Dan Campbell told the Detroit Free Press his starters likely would not play.
Carolina coach Frank Reich said overall No. 1 pick Bryce Young will start at quarterback. “We’d like to get a little rhythm going and accomplish certain things, so we will play it by ear,” Reich said about how long Young will play.
As we look at Lions vs. Panthers odds, props, and predictions, Carolina is priced as a favorite.
NFL Week 3 Preseason Odds: Lions vs. Panthers Point Spread, Moneyline & Total
Here are live Lions vs. Panthers odds from the top-rated sports betting apps. The Lions can be had for , while the Panthers are available for .
Lions vs. Panthers: Betting Trends
The Lions are 1-1, and the Panthers are 0-2. Carolina has lost to both New York teams. The Giants’ game was close, 21-19, but the Jets pounded the Panthers, 27-0, in the opener. The Lions defeated the Giants, 21-16, in their preseason opener but got handled at home by the Jaguars in the second game, 25-7.
- Against the spread: Lions 1-1; Panthers 1-1.
- Against the moneyline: Lions 1-0; Panthers 0-2.
- Lions went Under the total last week.
- Panthers went Over the total last week.
- Lions are 1-0 when betting the Over.
- Lions are 0-1 when betting the Under.
- Panthers are 1-1 when betting the Over.
- Panthers are 1-1 when betting the Under.
- Lions on the road in 2022: 4-4.
- Panthers at home in 2022: 5-4.
Lion vs. Panthers: Stats to Watch
- The Lions were 0-4 when committing two or more turnovers last season. That was tied for the worst in the NFL. The league average was .296.
- The Lions were 6-0 when allowing less than 22 points last season. That 100 percent total was tied for best in the NFL. The league average was 71.3 percent.
- The Panthers rushed the ball on 61.3 percent of plays from scrimmage in the red zone — the fourth-highest in the NFL. The Lions allowed 19 rushing touchdowns in the red zone last season. That was tied for third-most in the NFL.
- The Panthers rushed the ball on 48.8 percent of plays last season, the third-highest in the NFL. The Lions allowed 5.4 yards per carry, tied for second-worst in the NFL. Carolina will be without running back Miles Sanders, who rushed for a career-high 1,269 yards with the Eagles last season, who has a groin injury.
Lions vs. Panthers Prediction
The Panthers want to get a taste of winning for new coach Frank Reich before heading into the regular season. Carolina is coming off a 7-10 season.
With Young scheduled to play, expect the Panthers to open up their offense. Young has only thrown 12 passes in those two games. Expect at least that many against the Lions.
Detroit was 9-8 last season, the Lions’ first winning season since 2017. The Lions are a superior team, simply, across both lines when both teams play their starters.
Detroit’s leading receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, is recovering from a lower-leg injury but Campbell said St. Brown will not play against Carolina.
Prediction: Lions 24, Panthers 20.
Lions vs. Panthers Props + 2023 Season Futures
The preseason props bet menu is light for this game, but here’s a sampling from FanDuel and BetRivers.
Winning Margin (FanDuel)
- Lions by 1-13 (+230)
- Lions by 14+ (+800)
- Panthers by 1-13 (+135)
- Panthers by 14+ (+230)
Game Combo: Moneyline + Total (BetRivers)
- Lions Under 36.5 (+370)
- Lions Over 36.5 (+360)
- Panthers Under 36.5 (+185)
- Panthers Over 36.5 (+180)
Game Combo: Point Spread + Total (BetRivers)
- Lions +4.5 and Under 36.5 (+245)
- Lions +4.5 and Over 36.5 (+260)
- Panthers -4.5 and Under 36.5 (+260)
- Panthers -4.5 and Over 35.5 (+240)
Lions Futures Odds
- Regular season win total: Over 9.5 (-121); Under 9.5 (-103)
- To make playoffs: No (+137); Yes (-167)
- To win NFC North: +135
- To win NFC: +900
- To win Super Bowl: +2200
Panthers Futures Odds (BetRivers)
- Regular season win total: Over 7.5 (-115); Under 7.5 (-108)
- To make playoffs: No (-250); Yes (+200)
- To win NFC South: +400
- To win NFC: +3000
- To win Super Bowl: +7000
Lions, Panthers Season Previews
The Lions were nearly a playoff team last season. They got some satisfaction in the season-finale by winning at Green Bay and keeping Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out of the playoffs. Detroit finished 9-8 after a 3-10-1 season in 2021.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff made a remarkable turnaround last season. Going into last season, the conventional wisdom was that Goff was playing for his job and if he had another mediocre season, Detroit might draft his possible replacement.
Goff, a Super Bowl quarterback with the Rams in 2018, secured the Lions’ job by completing 65 percent of his passes for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
The Panthers hired Reich to replace Matt Rhule and interim coach Steve Wilks. Carolina made the biggest move of the draft by trading up with Chicago to land the top overall pick, which they used to select Alabama’s Young. The Bears received the No. 9 overall pick, the 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick, plus receiver D.J. Moore.
Young has played in both preseason games, completing 7-of-12 passes for 56 yards. Reich said Young will be his opening day starter. Carolina has reliable veteran Andy Dalton as Young’s backup. Talented wide receiver D.J. Chark will help Young when he recovers from a hamstring injury.
The Panthers are looking to improve their defense, especially their pass rush.
How to Watch: Lions vs. Panthers
- Friday, Aug. 25: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers, 8 p.m. EDT
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
- Where to Watch: CBS
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