New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/24/2018

Friday, August 24, 2018

Bank of America Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New England Patriots head to Bank of America Stadium to play the Carolina Panthers on Friday, August 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Carolina as 2.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 42.5. The Patriots were 12-6-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 8-10-0. The Panthers were 10-7-0 against the spread and their over/under mark was 10-7-0.

Valuable New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots were 8-10-0 against the over/under last season

The New England Patriots were 12-6-0 against the spread last year

Important Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

The Carolina Panthers were 10-7-0 against the over/under last season

The Carolina Panthers were 10-7-0 against the spread last year

Key New England Patriots Injuries

08/17/18 RB Rex Burkhead Knee is questionable Sunday vs Houston
08/17/18 T Isaiah Wynn Achilles is out for season
08/03/18 WR Malcolm Mitchell Knee is questionable Sunday vs Houston
08/01/18 WR Jordan Matthews Hamstring IR
07/04/18 WR Julian Edelman Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/04 vs Indianapolis)

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

08/03/18 TE Chris Manhertz Foot is questionable Sunday vs Dallas
08/03/18 RB Fozzy Whittaker Knee IR
07/29/18 T Daryl Williams Knee is out indefinitely

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots were 2nd in the National Football League in points scored with 458 last year. They ran 1,070 plays for 6,307 yards, which ranked them 1st in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots averaged 5.9 yards per play, which was 3rd in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 389 1st downs last season, ranking them 1st overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England ran for 1,889 yards as a unit, which ranked 10th in the league. They ran 448 times, averaging 4.2 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots were penalized on offense 95 times for 835 yards last year, which had them 26th in the NFL in penalties. Tom Brady passed for 4,577 yards last year. He completed 385 throws while attempting 581 passes for a completion percentage of 66.3%. His quarterback rating last season was 102.8. He averaged 11.9 yards per completion and 7.9 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New England was 5th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 296. They gave up a total of 5,856 yards on D, which was 29th in the league. The Patriots were 28th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense allowed 6.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 367 throws on 590 attempts against the New England Patriots defense last season, ranking them 28th and 30th in the league. The New England pass defense also surrendered a total of 4,020 yards in the air, which was 30th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 390 attempts for 1,836 yards last season, putting them in 20th place in the NFL against the run. The Patriots had 111 penalties for 1035 yards on defense last year. That placed them 27th in the league. They allowed a score on 30.2% of possessions on defense, which was 6th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

New England was 18th in the NFL in punt returns with 32 last year. They totaled 263 punt return yards and averaged 8.2 yards per return, which was 17th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 40 yards. They returned 28 kicks for 622 yards on special teams, placing them 19th in kick return yardage. The Patriots averaged 22.2 yards per kick return and had a long of 103 yards last season. They were 4th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 7,393. The New England Patriots tried 40 field goals last season and made 37, which was 4th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 92.5%. New England Patriots kickers made 96% of their extra points, going 45 for 47 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,515 yards on 58 punts, averaging 43.4 yards per punt. That ranked them 27th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Carolina Panthers ran for 2,102 yards as a team last year, which ranked 4th in the NFL. They ran 490 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Panthers were penalized on offense 83 times for 682 yards last season, which had them 32nd in the league in penalties. They were 12th in the NFL in points scored with 363. They ran 1,026 plays last season for 5,179 yards, which ranked them 19th in the league in total offense. The Panthers averaged 5 yards per play, which was 21st in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 320 1st downs last year, placing them 12th overall as an offensive unit. Cam Newton averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 11.3 yards per completion last season. He completed 291 passes on 492 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.1%. His quarterback rating last year was 80.7. He threw for 3,302 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Panthers rush defense allowed 353 attempts for 1,409 yards last year, putting them in 3rd place in the league against the run. Carolina committed 101 penalties for 867 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 9th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 33.9% of possessions on defense, which was 18th in the league. They were 11th in the league in points allowed on defense with 327. They surrendered a total of 5,074 yards on D, which was 7th in the NFL. The Panthers were ranked 18th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Their pass defense gave up 6.1 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 19th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 351 passes on 550 attempts against the Carolina defense last season, placing them 22nd and 15th in the National Football League. The Carolina Panthers pass defense also gave up a total of 3,665 yards through the air, which was 18th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Carolina Panthers attempted 30 field goals last season and made 29, which was 17th in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 96.7%. Carolina kickers made 92% of their extra points, going 34 for 37 last year. Their punters totaled 3,267 yards on 71 punts, averaging 46 yards per punt. That placed them 12th in the NFL in punting average. Carolina was ranked 5th in the league in punt returns last season with 40. They accumulated 318 punt return yards and averaged 8 yards per return, which was 19th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 60 yards. They returned 34 kicks for 758 yards on special teams, ranking 11th in kick return yardage. The Panthers averaged 22.3 yards per kick return and had a long of 103 yards last year. They were 16th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,497.

Who will win tonight's Patriots/Panthers NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Panthers -2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn