It wasn’t a season filled with wins, but Carolina defied preseason expectations– many of which put them picking first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, new head coach Matt Rhule set the tone and the culture for the Panthers moving forward. The Panthers were without superstar Christian McCaffrey for most of the entire season, but the offense showed up anyway. The receiving tandem of D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson exceeded hopes and turned Carolina into an offense that had explosive potential.
The defense was anchored by star rookie Jeremy Chinn and pass rusher Brian Burns, but offenses gashed the unit nonetheless. Carolina continued the defensive draft train, selecting South Carolina standout Jaycee Horn with their eighth overall pick, even passing on quarterbacks to do so. Panthers fans have a right to be optimistic about their future under offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The question will remain whether Brady can salvage the career of former-maligned Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, who was acquired for late-round draft picks in early April.
Carolina Panthers Week 1 odds
Despite finishing with a combined record of 7-25 (0.219), the Panthers-Jets Week 1 matchup will be drawing plenty of interest. New Panthers signal caller Sam Darnold faces off against the team that traded him in the offseason, who are now expected to start No. 2 overall draft pick Zach Wilson. Carolina finished in the bottom third of the NFL in almost every defensive category, prompting another defense-heavy draft. The Jets finished last or second-last in nearly every passing category in 2020 and bottom third in rushing offense.
The Panthers drew some early money immediately after opening as a 2.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook; they now sit at . Before falling on a five-game losing streak that ended up a 2-9 finish to the year, the Panthers were throwing the football effectively. They ranked ninth in dropback EPA and seventh in dropback success rate. Over their last 11 games, they dropped to 21st in dropback EPA and 23rd in dropback success rate.
Complete Week 1 betting preview: Jets vs. Panthers
Carolina Panthers futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Panthers Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +8000
- To win NFC: +3500
- To win NFC South: +1200
- Make playoffs: +275
- Panthers win total: 7.5 (+110)
Odds last updated July 12
Panthers prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. After a quiet start to the season, D.J. Moore became an excellent value target for prop betting in the NFL season’s later weeks. For example, Moore’s projected receiving total in the Panthers’ Week 7 matchup with the New Orleans Saints was 67.5 yards. That game, he hauled in 93 yards and those that bet over his receiving prop would have cashed out.
Search below for Carolina Panthers team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Carolina Panthers 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | vs New York Jets | 1:00 p.m. ET | Panthers -4.5 |
| Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | vs New Orleans Saints | 1:00 p.m. ET | Saints -2.5 |
| Week 3 | Thursday, Sept. 23 | at Houston Texans | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | at Dallas Cowboys | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | vs Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | vs Minnesota Vikings | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | at New York Giants | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 7 | vs New England Patriots | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Arizona Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | vs Washington Football Team | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 28 | at Miami Dolphins | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 5 | BYE | N/A | N/A |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 12 | vs Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Saturday, Dec. 18 | at Buffalo Bills | 1:00 p.m. TBa | OTB |
| Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 26 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | at New Orleans Saints | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
Best Panthers betting site(s)
How to bet on the Carolina Panthers
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Ravens -185
- Panthers +310
The Panthers are heavy underdogs in this matchup, paying out $410 total for a $100 bet ($310 in winnings). The Ravens are the favorites in this matchup (indicated by -185), requiring a $185 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Panthers -3.5 (-110)
- Washington +3.5 (-110)
In this example, Carolina is favored by 3.5 points, indicated by “-3.5.” If the Panthers win the game 24-20, the Panthers (-3.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Washington keep the game within four and lose 23-17, Washington (+3.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Panthers’ Week 8 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons had a projected point total of 44.5 points. The Panthers lost that game 25-17, resulting in 42 total points. Those that bet under the point total would have cashed out.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Panthers (-110) were heavily favored against the Jets (+190) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on Carolina to win would win $9.09.
However, say the Panthers fell to a big 21-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to costly turnovers or a special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Jets, who may be a -110 favorite at halftime. Taking the Panthers to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +155). Should a bettor take Carolina (+155) at halftime and the Panthers pull off the comeback, winners would win $15.50 instead of $9.09 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Jets (+190) in that game, but Carolina jumps out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Carolina (-190) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Panthers 2020 recap
Record: 5-11
Record ATS: 9-7
Over/under record: 7-9
Taking the Panthers’ record without context would have indicated that this team had a failure of a season and were noncompetitive. However, the Panthers had several close call games where they looked like a threat to top teams, including the Saints (lost 27-24), the Chiefs (lost 33-31) and the Packers (lost 24-16). While Teddy Bridgewater isn’t the long term answer for the franchise, he was sufficient and moved the offense with the skill group Carolina fielded.
Panthers 2021 offseason moves
Trades: Sam Darnold (from Jets)
Re-signings: T Taylor Moton (franchise tag)
Free agent losses: Curtis Samuel (to Washington)
Free agent signings: LB Denzel Perryman (two years, $12 million), EDGE Haason Reddick (one year, $8 million), G Cameron Erving (two years, $8 million), WR David Moore (two years, $4.8 million)
Draft picks: CB Jaycee Horn, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., OT Brady Christensen, TE Tommy Tremble, RB Chubba Hubbard, DT Dayvion Nixon