The upcoming matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots is scheduled to kick off week one of the preseason schedule for the NFL PRESEASON SCHEDULE.
The game will take place at Gillette Stadium with a 7:00 PM kickoff time on Thursday, August 8. This preseason opener marks the 13th time these two teams have met in a preseason setting, with the most recent meeting being a 20-10 Patriots victory during the 2022 preseason.
Current Equipment Status
The last regular-season meeting between the two teams was in 2021, when the Patriots secured a decisive 24-6 victory over the Panthers in Carolina on Nov. 7.
Carolina is coming off a disastrous 2023 season, finishing with a 2-15 record. To revitalize their fortunes, the Panthers made several significant changes. They selected quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the draft, a decision that has generated some criticism and is viewed by some as a potential mistake.
In addition to bringing in Young, the Panthers hired Dave Canales as their new head coach, signaling a new direction for the team.
To provide better protection for Young, the Panthers have upgraded their offensive line. They also made a strategic trade to acquire wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the goal of improving their aerial game.
On the defensive side, Carolina ranked fourth in total defense last season, but the team has prioritized improving the offense, which has led to some notable losses on defense.
Most prominently, the Panthers traded quarterback Brian Burns, who recorded 8 catches last season, to the New York Giants, creating a significant gap that needs to be filled.
Changes in New England
New England enters the 2024 season with substantial changes and a 4-13 record from the previous year. For the first time since 2000, the Patriots will begin the season without Bill Belichick as their head coach. Belichick has been replaced by former linebacker Jerod Mayo, marking the beginning of a new era for the team.
The Patriots offense struggled significantly last season, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in most offensive categories. To address these issues, they selected quarterback Drake Maye with the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, the offense still lacks quality receivers, making it likely that they will rely heavily on running back Rhamondre Stevenson to carry the offense.
On the defensive side, a decline is expected without Belichick's strategic adjustments. However, the Patriots secondary shows promise, particularly with the return of cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who missed most of last season due to injury.
In addition, linebacker Matthew Judon, who has accumulated 22 catches over the past three years, will be a key player for the defense.
Bryce Young won't play in preseason opener. https://t.co/GisxF8SjAL
- Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 6, 2024
Recent Performance
For the Panthers, their performance against the spread (ATS) has been dismal, with a 5-12-1 record in their last 18 games. Their point total in their games has trended UNDER, occurring in 9 of their last 11 games. The Panthers have struggled in terms of straight up (SU) wins, managing just 1 win in their last 10 games.
For the Patriots, their performance against the spread (ATS) is similar to that of the Panthers, also with a 5-12-1 record in their last 18 games. Unlike the Panthers, the point total in Patriots games has tended to be OVER, occurring in 4 of their last 5 games.
The Patriots have also faced challenges in straight up wins (SU), managing only 2 wins in their last 10 games.
In terms of preseason records, the Patriots have a significant advantage over the Panthers with a 9-3 record in their 12 preseason games. Recent preseason games have seen the Patriots dominate, with wins of 10-3 on August 22, 2019 and 20-10 on August 19, 2022.
However, in regular season matchups, the Panthers hold a slight edge with a 4-3 record against the Patriots.
History of confrontations
Historically, the two teams also met in Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 2, 2004, which is remembered as one of the most entertaining Super Bowls ever played. In a thrilling back-and-forth game, the Patriots secured the victory with a game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, boasts the second-best home record in the NFL since 1970. The stadium has been a stronghold for the Patriots, with three remarkable home winning streaks in its history.
These include a 20-game regular season winning streak from 2008-2011 and two separate 21-game winning streaks that include playoff games. This strong home-field advantage is expected to play a significant role when the Patriots open their preseason against the Panthers.
