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    How to Watch the Patriots-Panthers Game: TV Channel, Streaming Details for Week 1 Preseason Matchup

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    Here is everything you need to know to watch the Patriots at Panthers game during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason schedule.

    The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are set to faceoff during Week 1 of the NFL preseason schedule. While there are some intriguing storylines on both sides of the ball, the most exciting is the debut of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who will be playing against his hometown team in his NFL debut.

    Here is everything you need to watch the Panthers at the Patriots Week 1 preseason game, including the channel, start time, live stream options, and more.

    Everything You Need for the Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots Game

    • 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.

    After selecting quarterback Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers would stumble to a 2-15 record, fire head coach Frank Reich, and watch as the Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL Draft with the pick they had given up to take Young the year prior.

    With Dave Canales taking over as HC, can Young and the Panthers have a better year?

    Carolina has to take a step forward, especially on the offensive end, for Young’s sake. The second-year quarterback was sacked 62 times last season, the second-most in the league. Carolina allowed the fourth-highest pressures per dropback at 41.1%. However, it’s not all on the offensive line as they allowed Young, on average, 2.89 seconds to throw, the eleventh-most in the league.

    Young made plenty of mistakes as a rookie. But with a less-than-stellar receiving core, he wasn’t set up for much success either. Ten-year veteran WR Adam Thielen led the team with 1,014 yards, almost doubling the next receiver on the list.

    Carolina thankfully got Young and Thielen some reinforcements this offseason by trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette with the last pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Combined with a splash on the offensive line by signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, the Panthers are ready to see improvement.

    The Patriots are in a similar boat 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 head coach and brings with him a brand new quarterback group, headlined by third-overall pick Drake Maye and a reunion with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Rookie Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe round out the room.

    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, and 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 likely 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.

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