Jets vs Panthers Prediction - NFL Picks 8/12/23

The New York Jets will play the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason on Saturday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. These two teams finished below .500 last season, but they have the opportunity to start this year off with a win in this matchup.

Jets Preview

The New York Jets were 7-10 last season and they finished fourth in the AFC East. The Jets started the season playing very well and they were 5-2 in their first seven games, but they only managed to win two of their last ten games. New York only managed to score 44 points in their last five games, which comes out to 8.8 points per game. The Jets only averaged 17.4 points per game in 2022, but they only allowed 18.6 points against per game, which was fourth best in the NFL. The Jets lost the Hall of Fame Game to the Browns by a score of 21-16. New York only managed to gain nine first downs and they were out gained by a total of 346-188 in the loss. We should see Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle take the majority of snaps at quarterback in this game. We will not see Aaron Rodgers in this game. 

Panthers Preview

The Carolina Panthers were also 7-10 last season, but they finished second in the NFC South. Carolina was in the Wild Card race towards the end of season, but that slow start to the year really cost them. The Panthers started the season 2-7, but were able to go 5-3 in their last eight games. Carolina averaged 20.4 points per game and they allowed 22.0 points against per game. While the defensive numbers don’t look terrible for the whole season, Carolina did allow 23 points or more in four of their last five games. All eyes will be on Bryce Young in this one, as he will making his NFL debut under center for the Panthers. The Panthers brought in quite a bit of talent at wide receiver in the offseason, which should give Young plenty of weapons to use. Young will probably only play for two or three series before being pulled in this one.