We have three preseason games tonight, including a matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Carolina Panthers. We have seen most of the Panthers’ offensive starters in the first two weeks but none of the Lions’. Will that change tonight? We break down the matchup with a look at the betting odds, give out a best bet, and more.
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Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers (-4.5)
Bearman: The Lions couldn’t have looked much worse last week vs. the Jaguars, totaling just 131 yards and scoring one touchdown in the second half.
The week before wasn’t much better, as they scored most of their points in the second half vs. the Giants. Rest assured, Lions fans. Nate Sudfeld, Adrian Martinez, and Teddy Bridgewater will not be behind center come September.
The Lions haven’t played their starters much, and I don’t expect that to change. On the other side, the Panthers have been playing No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, but he just hasn’t amounted to much.
Carolina has put up one total field goal in two first halves this preseason. Until Young figures out the offense, they will continue to struggle.
With neither offense being able to do much this preseason, you got to take the under.
Pick: Under 19.5 first half (-110) at Bet365
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Detroit Lions Roster and Injury Report
We haven’t seen any of the Lions’ starters in the preseason so far, and that’s expected to be the case yet again this week. Earlier this week, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, “I think it’s going to look very much like the first two games.”
The most notable and recent injury news for the Lions was WR Amon-Ra St. Brown suffering a mild ankle injury last Thursday. They expect him to be available for the season opener, however, which is a sigh of relief for Lions fans and St. Brown fantasy managers.
Former 49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley, who signed with the Lions in free agency, has been on the PUP list since Aug. 2 as he finishes his recovery from a torn ACL he suffered last season.
Moseley, for the first time in training camp, was at practice this week working with a trainer on his backpedal, change of direction, and sprints. The Lions have until Tuesday to make a decision on activating him to the 53-man roster or keeping him on the PUP list, which would keep him out of the first four games of the season.
Carolina Panthers Roster and Injury Report
The Panthers have started Young in each of their first two preseason games, and the results have been unspectacular, to say the least. Through two preseason games, Young is 7-12 with 56 passing yards and zero touchdowns. The first-team offense with Young at quarterback has scored just three points as well.
Given the struggles of the starting offense, HC Frank Reich told reporters on Monday that they will be playing Young and the first-team offense this week. After playing against the Giants’ starting defense last week, the Panthers’ starting offense should have more success against the Lions’ backups tonight.
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Unfortunately for the Panthers, WR DJ Chark has been out of practice this week with a hamstring injury. The Panthers signed Chark to a one-year deal in free agency and hoped he would provide help at the wide receiver position for Young opposite Adam Thielen.
Chark is not the only banged-up Panthers WR, however, as Laviska Shenault is in concussion protocol, and Terrace Marshall Jr. has been dealing with a back injury.