The Carolina Panthers (0-0) and Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) square off on Sunday, Sept. 7, in NFL Week 1. Panthers vs Jaguars kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
The Jaguars are favored by -3.5 with the over/under set at 47 total points. The Jaguars are -190 moneyline favorites to win outright; the Panthers are +155 to pull off the upset.
The Jaguars host the Panthers on Sunday afternoon in what may be the best game flying under the radar in NFL Week One. There is a sense of optimism surrounding both teams heading into 2025, and more specifically, a feeling that each quarterback — Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence — is due for a career year.
Past performance weighs too heavily on the total oddsmakers have set for Panthers vs Jaguars, which makes playing the over a good value for a number of reasons. Below, you can find my Panthers vs Jaguars predictions in my NFL Week 1 betting preview.
Panthers vs Jaguars Prediction
- Panthers vs Jaguars pick: Over 46.5; Bet to Over 48
My Panthers vs Jaguars best bet is the game total to go over 47. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Panthers vs Jaguars Odds
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -115 | 47 -110o / -110u | +155 |
| Jaguars Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -105 | 47 -110o / -110u | -190 |
Panthers vs Jaguars NFL Week 1 Preview
Carolina Panthers Betting Preview: Bryce Young Trending Up
Last season, we saw a completely different Bryce Young after the Panthers' Week 11 bye.
Young accounted for 16 total touchdowns for the remainder of the season and threw just three interceptions. This was a passing attack in 2024 that was led in target share by 34-year-old Adam Thielen when he was on the field, and the leader in total targets was a rookie in Xavier Legette.
During Weeks 12-18, the Panthers quarterback posted a 4.5% completion percentage over expectation, ranking him eighth best over that timeframe — but even more impressively, he accomplished this with an average depth of target (aDOT) of 9.7 yards.
Young was throwing with anticipation and was confident pushing the ball down the field. For comparison, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen had an aDOT within a half-yard per attempt of Young’s 9.7 during that same time span.
Furthermore, when it comes to projecting Young’s ascent into this season, his scrambling ability is highly underrated. From Week 12 on, only Jayden Daniels was credited with more scrambles than Young, who had five rushing scores on called passing plays that he turned into scrambles over that six-game span.
Adding a true WR1 to this offense in rookie Tetairoa McMillan will only amplify the entire operation. The Panthers have already proven to have an effective rushing attack led by Chubba Hubbard, who averaged 3.4 yards per attempt after contact, the third-best mark in the league.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Preview: Will Coen Work His Magic?
The Jaguars offense should also take a major step forward in 2025.
Liam Coen was instrumental in guiding Baker Mayfield to a career year in 2024 with the Buccaneers. Mayfield set career highs in yards per attempt and completion percentage under the tutelage of Coen.
Coen’s system constantly finds a way to scheme players open and is undoubtedly the most quarterback-friendly system Trevor Lawrence has ever played in.
Coen is an offensive coach; he didn’t draft Travis Hunter second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to play him on defense the majority of snaps. Hunter will prioritize offense to create a highly explosive duo with the supremely talented Brian Thomas Jr.
Panthers’ cornerback Mike Jackson is a solid player, but he is no match for Thomas. The rest of the Carolina secondary graded out poorly as a group in coverage, allowing a 105.4 passer rating to opposing passers a season ago, ranking last in the NFL.
Panthers vs Jaguars Prediction, Betting Analysis
The Panthers were the only team that allowed quarterbacks to thrive more efficiently than the Jaguars last season.
I expect both offensive systems to hit the ground running with new weapons in tow.
Head coaches Dave Canales and Liam Cohen will be aggressive in attacking the weaknesses on the back-end, which should translate into several chunk plays and scoring drives that do not bleed the clock.
Play this total over anything at the key number of 48 or below.
Pick: Over 46.5; Bet to Over 48
Spread
I have no play for either side of the spread.
Moneyline
I have no play for either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
This game has shootout potential with two head coaches known for their offensive prowess. Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence are on the come-up and have new weapons to work with. I like the over on the game total up to 48.
