Carolina Panthers vs Jacksonville Jaguars Picks and Prediction for Sunday, September 7, 2025
The preseason has come and gone, and the 2025-26 NFL regular season kicks off this week. On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers are in North Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on FOX. Carolina was third in the NFC South last season at 5-12. Jacksonville was third in the AFC South at 4-13. Both teams missed the playoffs. Carolina will play without T Ikem Ekwonu, while three others are questionable. Jacksonville will play without CB Montaric Brown and G Wyatt Milum, while T Cole Van Lanen is questionable. Make sure to read this in-depth Carolina Panthers vs Jacksonville Jaguars prediction. Stay sharp this week with expert NFL picks for the Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars prediction and crush the lines.
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Carolina needs Bryce Young to continue his improvement under center
The Carolina Panthers saw a great deal of improvement in quarterback Bryce Young over the final three games of last season. Young tossed 10 touchdowns over that period and that was after he was benched early in the season by new coach Dave Canales. The Panthers did get better as the season went on. After a 1-7 start, they went a serviceable 4-5 in the last two weeks. The offensive line has been improved by Carolina in an attempt to give Young more time in the pocket and open holes for the running game, which should also help the passing game, as opponents cannot focus on just the pass. Carolina has added first-round pick Tetairoa McMillian to its receiving corps, giving Young a big target to throw to on the outside.
Carolina's weak link last season on defense was against the run, and it must improve that or the offense will not be able to keep pace with what the defense gives up. DE Derrick Brown’s return will help the Panthers on defense, and the defense is expected to have new starters at over half its positions. Carolina’s linebacker corps, led by Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace, must come up big both against the run and the pass, but the Panthers must stop the run first.
Jacksonville’s key to success is an improvement in its defense
Jacksonville did not instill much confidence on defense during the preseason. The secondary remains suspect, and it's unknown how many snaps rookie cornerback Travis Hunter will see on defense, as the two-way player will see action at wide receiver as well. Hunter was listed as a starter at wide receiver on the depth chart and not at corner, which could be just to confuse the Panthers. The preseason displayed Jacksonville's lack of overall depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
The Jaguars have a new offense under Liam Coen, and Trevor Lawrence appeared to be comfortable under center with the new system. However, the offensive line lacked consistency and committed far too many penalties that resulted in drives stalling during the preseason. Jacksonville has an excellent wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr, who will lead the receiving corps, while it remains to be seen how effective running backs Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby will be in the running game.
Panthers vs. Jaguars Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Spread Pick for Panthers vs. Jaguars
- Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5 (5 units)
The Carolina Panthers will have an improved offense under QB Bryce Young, but the defense will be its weak link once again. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence will take advantage of Carolina’s secondary after the Jaguars can establish a running game against the Panthers’ front seven, who last season were the worst in the NFL against the run at 179.8 yards per game. Lawrence has an excellent target in Brian Thomas Jr, and rookie Travis Hunter is expected to make an impact from the start. The running game led by Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby should help Lawrence in the passing attack, as it will open lanes over the middle and down the field. Jacksonville's defense is not strong, but it should be able to contain Young and the Panthers’ offense enough for the Jaguars to win and cover at home on Sunday.
Over/Under Pick for Panthers vs. Jaguars
- Over 46.5 (5 units)
The Carolina Panthers' defense was the worst against the run last season, allowing 179.8 yards per game, and the Jacksonville Jaguars allowed the most passing yards per game last season. Jacksonville's run defense was not much better than its pass defense, and the Jaguars had the fewest takeaways of any NFL team since the league expanded to 17 regular-season games. Neither defense can be trusted to keep its opponents out of the end zone, at least to start the season.
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