• The Carolina Panthers are 4.5-point home favorites over the Detroit Lions in the Lions vs Panthers odds in their NFL Preseason game on Friday, August 25
• This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams in the NFL Preseason
• The Panthers are 6-1 straight up against the Lions at home in regular-season play

As amazing at it may seem, when the Detroit Lions (1-1) and Carolina Panthers (0-2) take the field on Friday, they’ll be meeting in the NFL Preseason for the very first time. Read on as we break down the matchup and give our top Lions vs Panthers picks here.

Detroit will playing the club’s first road game of the 2023 NFL Preseason. Carolina is still looking to score a point at home during this year’s exhibition slate. The Panthers were blanked 27-0 by the New York Jets in Week 1.

Lions vs Panthers Odds

Nonetheless, it’s Carolina that is set as the 4.5-point home favorite in this game. With moneyline odds of -200, they have an implied probability of 66.67 to win the game. Detroit is 2-12 straight up in the club’s last 14 preseason games.

Odds as of August 24 at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure top claim a Caesars promo code to bet on Lions vs Panthers and other NFL preseason action this week.

There’s a lot of hype about the Lions this season. In the NFL Divisional odds, they’re the +120 chalk to win the NFC North, something they haven’t done since 1993. However, they’re anything but world beaters during the NFL Preseason. Detroit hasn’t posted a winning record in exhibition play since 2015.

Detroit vs Carolina Betting Splits

Carolina is given a 66.67% probability of victory. The Panthers are 6-1 SU all-time at home in the regular season against Detroit. The Panthers are drawing 91% of bets on the moneyline at -200. However, Detroit at +4.5 is pulling 68% of spread wagers.

The total is set at 37 points. There’s 86% of bets going with the over. Carolina is 1-1 against that total during the preseason, while Detroit is 0-1-1.

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How to Watch Lions vs Panthers

Kickoff is set for 8:00 pm ET on Friday, August 25 at Bank of America Stadium. The game is being broadcast live on CBS.

The NFL odds show that the Lions are 1-5 SU in their last six preseason games. Detroit hasn’t posted a win at Carolina since the team’s first regular-season visit there in 1999.

Lions Unlikely to Play Starters

While he hasn’t come right out and said it, every indication is that Lions head coach Dan Campbell has no plan to insert any of his starters against the Panthers. On Tuesday, he ran his first team through a hard-hitting scrimmage during practice. Then he stated that it was time to begin assembling their game plan for the regular-season opener at Kansas City.

Campbell is of the belief that the Lions have significantly upgraded the depth of their roster from a year ago. In their Week 2 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, newly-signed Teddy Bridgewater (40%) and Nate Sudfeld (60%) split the quarterbacking duties.

Lions UDFA WR Chase Cota definitely may stick on practice squad. Has NFL size & athleticism (6-3 plus, 4.5 40, vertical in high 30s). Was 4-star in high school. Father, Chad, starting NFL safety. Cousin is Brady Breeze. Another example of improved football ops under Brad Holmes. pic.twitter.com/J7L1i3XTwk

— Pat Caputo (@patcaputo98) August 14, 2023

One player who could be worth a look in NFL props at one of the leading NFL betting apps is rookie WR Chase Cota. In the preseason opener against the New York Giants, he led Detroit receivers with seven targets, finishing with four receptions for 60 yards. Facing the Jaguars, Cota caught a TD and returned a punt 28 yards while playing a team-high 70% of offensive snaps.

Young Will Lead Carolina Starters Against Detroit

Rookie QB Bryce Young, the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will be at the helm of the Carolina starting offense to begin this game against the Lions. However, he may find it difficult to find any available receivers to target.

Three WRs – former Lions wideout DJ Chark (hamstring), Laviska Shenault (concussion) and Terrace Marshall (back) are uncertain to play Friday. Cornerback Donte Jackson (ankle) is definitely out, while DL Amare Barno suffered an undisclosed injury in practice this week

Panthers K Eddy Pineiro says he injured his groin near the start of training camp, feeling great now. Pineiro just did some kicks in the stadium, said he’ll leave it up to coaches whether he kicks Fri.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 23, 2023

Tackle Cam Erving (ankle), DE Henry Anderson (foot), TE Stephen Sullivan (undisclosed) and CBs Greg Mabin (undisclosed) and Mac McCain (undisclosed) missed the entire week of practice. On a positive note, head coach Frank Reich is indicating that RB Miles Sanders and K Eddie Pineiro may see some action. They’ve been nursing groin injuries throughout training camp.

Lions vs Panthers Picks

When the Lions and Panthers met in Carolina during Week 16 last season, the Panthers ran the ball down Detroit’s throat, gaining 320 yards on the ground in a 37-24 drubbing. Considering the injuries the team is dealing with at WR, look for a similar attack from the Carolina offense.

Lions vs Panthers Picks: Carolina Panthers -4.5 (-110)

The post Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers Prediction & Odds – Preseason Week 3 Picks appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.