Panthers vs. Colts: Odds, Spread, Over/Under and Prediction for NFL Preseason Week 1

The final matchup of the first week of the NFL’s preseason slate will kick off at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers square off. 

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule will be resting his starters, including quarterback Sam Darnold, while the Colts will give Jacob Eason the start on Sunday.

“Yeah, Jacob (Eason) is going to start. I don’t know how long, a quarter and a half? Don’t hold me to that but probably a quarter and a half or so depending on the flow of the game,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said. “Then, the next game we’ll probably just flip that around.”

The Colts are without Carson Wentz, who had foot surgery this offseason, but it appears he could be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season. The Colts' division and Super Bowl odds have fallen in the aftermath of the Wentz injury, but they could become a value pick if Wentz does end up playing the entire 2021 season. 

Here are what the odds look like for today’s matchup at WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Colts vs. Panthers Spread, Odds and Over/Under

Spread: 

Colts -3.0 (-105)

Panthers +3.0 (-115)

Moneyline: 

Colts: -160

Panthers: +135

Over/Under: 33.5 (Over: -110/Under: -110)

Panthers vs. Colts Betting Trends

Through the first 16 games of the NFL preseason, unders are a whopping 14-2, as many teams have rested starters in the first week.

Here are a few more betting trends for today’s matchup: 

• Frank Reich’s teams are 5-3 against the spread in the preseason in his career.
• Coaches that have made their preseason debuts this year are currently 4-5, Rhule makes his debut today.
• Carolina (9-7) and Indy (9-8) were both in the top half of the league against the spread last season.
• The over was 6-6 when the Panthers were an underdog last season. 

Colts vs. Panthers Prediction and Pick

I’ve taken the under in almost all of my Week 1 preseason picks, and this game will be no different for me with neither starting quarterback in the lineup. 

The Colts are going to take a long look at Eason and Sam Ehlinger to see if they can get away with starting one of them in a pinch, while the Panthers seem confident in Darnold as the starter. 

I’m going to take the Panthers moneyline in this one, simply because the Colts injuries should have Reich extra cautious about leaving key players on the field in this one. The Colts certainly don’t care about winning this game as much as they care about getting healthy for Week 1, so give me an up-and-coming Carolina team in this matchup.

Interested in making these bets? Maybe even fading them? Download the WynnBET app.