The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers will do battle during the NFL’s Week 1 preseason Thursday Night Football doubleheader. While the matchup will likely be void or nearly void of the team’s stars, we will potentially get to see some of the Patriots’ new weapons, like rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Here is everything you need to know surrounding the Panthers vs. Patriots Week 1 preseason game, including the time, channel, 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 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.
2023 Panthers and Patriots Stats Leaders
- QB:
- Panthers: Bryce Young, 315 cmp/527 att, 2,877 yards, 11 TDs, 10 INTs
- Patriots: Mac Jones, 224 cmp/345 att, 2,120 yards, 10 TDs, 12 INTs
- RB:
- Panthers: Chubba Hubbard, 238 carries, 902 yards, five TDs
- Patriots: Ezekiel Elliott, 184 carries, 642 yards, three TDs
- WR:
- Panthers: Adam Thielen, 103 rec/137 targets, 1014 yards, four TDs, two fumbles
- Patriots: DeMario Douglas, 49 rec/79 targets, 561 yards