After a tough 2023 campaign, the New England Patriots are set to kick off a new season with a new head coach, a new starting quarterback, and a ton of new names on the roster. The winds of change are calling in Boston. Fans will get a chance to see a lot of these fresh faces when the Patriots face off against the Carolina Panthers during Week 1’s Thursday Night Football doubleheader.
Here is everything you need to know surrounding the Panthers vs. Patriots Week 1 preseason game, including the channel, start time, live stream options, and more.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
- Start time: Thursday, August 8, 2024, 7 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Live stream options: NFL App, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
- Radio stations: Panthers Radio Network, 98.5 The Sports Hub
- Starting QBs: Jack Plummer, Drake Maye
- Betting lines:
- Spread: NE -6.5
- Total: 33.5
- Moneyline: NE -278, CAR +225
The 2024 season is a chance for the Panthers and Patriots to rebound from a rough campaign.
The Patriots are in a similar boat to Carolina with a new head coach, but a change under center also comes. Tom Brady’s departure in 2020 created a massive void in New England’s roster. While Bill Belichick’s defense could mask the issues for a while, the dam finally broke as the Patriots and the legendary head coach parted ways after a 4-13 season in 2023.
Former New England LB Jerod Mayo takes over as HC and brings with him a brand new quarterback group, headlined by third-overall pick Drake Maye and reuniting with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Rookie Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe round out the group.
While Brissett should be the clear frontrunner to start the season, given a solid outing in Cleveland, the preseason will be quite the quarterback battle.
However, it will be difficult, given the lack of depth in the WR room. Eight-year WR Kendrick Bourne will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Behind him is veteran Juju Smith-Schuster, 2023 sixth-round pick DeMario Douglas, 2024 second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk, and 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker.
Unless TEs Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper can fill some of the void, it will be another heavy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson toting the rock.
Panthers at Patriots Betting Preview
This game might be the most intriguing because both teams have new coaching staff and systems. However, the Panthers have already ruled out Bryce Young, which makes sense, given there is no competition for the starting role. In contrast, the Patriots do have a quarterback competition and need to give their guys more reps in preseason.
For more betting analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s Week 1 preseason picks and predictions.
Fantasy Players to Watch
QB Bryce Young
Given his performance as a rookie, it would be a surprise if Bryce Young didn’t see meaningful action in the preseason. There are a couple of other players of interest on this team, particularly rookie WR Xavier Legette and rookie RB Jonathon Brooks. However, this team is going to fail or succeed based on how much of a step forward Young takes.
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
There is a bevy of players fantasy managers should be interested in seeing in the preseason. Outside of Rhamondre Stevenson, there is no clear fantasy-relevant player on the Patriots.
The first thing worth paying attention to is who plays when. DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne project to be the team’s top two receivers. But what if rookie Ja’Lynn Polk impresses? This is not a difficult depth chart to climb.
For more fantasy analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s fantasy players to watch during the NFL preseason.